Malaysia Registers 250 Additional Manpower Agencies as Sub-Agents Amid Controversy

Malaysia has added 250 manpower agencies to its Foreign Worker Central Management System (FWCMS) as sub-agents, at a time when its list allowing only 25 manpower companies to recruit workers from Nepal has sparked controversy. The Nepal Association of Foreign Employment Agencies has criticized the decision to grant permission to a limited number of companies, calling it a violation of the principle of equality and urging for transparent criteria. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Youth, Labour and Employment has sent a diplomatic note concerning the expanded list and warned that agencies included without proper authorization will face legal action.

Kathmandu, 11 September — Malaysia initially published a list permitting only 25 manpower companies in Nepal to recruit workers, igniting widespread opposition. Recently, it registered an additional 250 companies as sub-agents under the main contractors within the FWCMS. Previously, only 25 manpower companies were listed as primary contractors. According to Dika Bahadur Khatri, president of the Nepal Association of Foreign Employment Agencies, Malaysia has linked up to 10 sub-agent manpower companies under each of the 25 main contractors.

Khatri commented, “It seems the number was increased to attract the government’s attention. Ultimately, it appears they plan to implement a model similar to that used in Bangladesh.” The publication of the initial 25-company list by Malaysia met with significant resistance in Nepal, including requests from some included agencies seeking removal of their names from the Ministry of Youth, Labour and Employment’s list. Khatri asserts that adding 250 companies will not resolve the underlying issues, noting that with over a thousand foreign employment agencies operating in Nepal, restricting work permits to a few companies violates Nepalese law and constitutional principles of equality.