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By Yuba Nath Lamsal
KATHMANDU, Jan 29 (Bernama) — Nepal’s parliament has told its government not to implement the biometric health test system following Malaysia’s introduction of biometric medical checks for Nepali workers.
A parliamentary committee on international relations and labour of parliament headed by lawmaker Prabhu Saha on Wednesday made an unanimous decision opposing the biometric health checks for Nepalese workers.
The committee is calling on the government not to enforce the system without first studying its impact.
“The committee has told the government not to enforce biometric health tests for Nepalese wishing to work in Malaysia,” Saha told Bernama.
“The system does not appear appropriate and justified at present in the absence of such facilities in Nepal. This would result in further financial burden on our workers,” Saha said.
On Jan 15, the Malaysian government, through its embassy in Kathmandu, told Nepal’s government that its Department of Immigration would only accept and process medical reports submitted under the biometric system.
The embassy said it will only process documents of potential employees who have undergone the biometric health checks.
It said no new or additional charges will be imposed on workers taking the tests.
“The system, which has been outsourced by the Malaysian government to private company Bestinet Sdn Bhd, could jeopardise the security of foreign-bound workers,” said Kumud Khanal, vice-president of the Nepal Association of Foreign Employment Agencies.
Bhola Prasad Siwakoti, secretary at the Labour and Employment Ministry, said the Nepalese government will make a thorough study of the pros and cons of the biometric system before making its final decision.
A total of 100,626 Nepalese workers left for Malaysia in the first five months of the current fiscal year 2014/2015.
An estimated 750,000 Nepalis are currently working in Malaysia.
Source: Bernama
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