“Nepalis forced to pay RM10,000 to secure jobs in Malaysia, activist claims”

…Nepalis are being made to pay up to RM10,000 to secure jobs as security guards in Malaysia, a migrant rights activist claims, adding that the “alarming” surge in recruitment costs leading to high risks of modern slavery should not be ignored.

Andy Hall alleged that the sum is being paid by the Nepalis to cover the extortionate fees charged by numerous recruitment intermediaries, including Malaysian security agents and Nepali manpower agents and brokers, who will help get these Nepalis employed in Malaysia in the coming weeks and months.

These costs must be paid upfront in Nepal for the workers to earn a shot at moving to Malaysia to land these jobs, which are currently being advertised, said Hall, who spoke to Nepali agents as well as subagents who were recruiting workers, and those who were interested in the jobs.

Malaysia currently allows Nepalis to be recruited as security guards in the country.

“These vulnerable workers are paying all the recruitment fees and costs themselves in Nepal, including the agents’ fees, flight tickets, medical testing costs, and visa and insurance charges,” he told FMT…