Malaysia is one of Asia's biggest employers of foreign labour. But recently, cases of deaths, abuse and forced labour have come to light. What is going on? Who is protecting these migrant workers?
A letter signed by 111 victims, which was sent to the Post, stated that some
agents working with NB International Manpower Agency situated in Kuleshwor,
Balkhu in Kathmandu, who sent them to the company had already received 5,318
Rial in advance in the name of each Nepali worker.
<p>When the Nepali youths asked for their wages, the company boss showed a receipt
as evidence confirming that the agents had received their salary in advance.
"Only then did we come to know that we had been cheated by Nepali agents,"
the victims wrote.</p>
<p>Before departing from Nepal, the agents had assured the workers that they would
earn between 751 to 1,000 Rials a month. They had paid the Nepali agents Rs
20,000 to Rs 93,000 per head to get the overseas jobs. They were taken to Malaysia
on 19 December 2006.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Lokman Rai, of Saugat Overseas based in Itahari, admitted that all
Nepali workers sent to Malaysia by them through NB International Manpower Agency,
had fallen prey to Malaysian employers.</p>
<p>Some of the Nepali workers being exploited in Malaysia have been identified
as Tika Ram Chimuriya, Keshav Rayamajhi and Bhim Bahadur Bhattarai from Dangraha-9
of Morang district. The others are from Taplejung, Rupandehi, Palpa, Kavre,
Makwanpur, Gulmi and Sankhuwasabha districts.</p>
<p>In their letter, the victims said the company was providing them just 20 to
150 Rials a month. They have to arrange extra money on their own even for treatment.</p>
<p><i>Source: http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?nid=108152</i>
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