Malaysia enforces bio-metric system for migrant labor
KATHMANDU, Jan 19:
Amid fierce opposition from the manpower recruiting companies, Malaysia- one of the preferred working destinations for Nepali migrant workers - has has brought into effect a bio-metric system for Nepal along with 14 other countries. The bio-metric system is a health checkup system which involves the use of a fingerprint scanner and video camera.
In a letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday, the Malaysian embassy informed that Malaysia´s Department of Immigration will only accept and process medical reports submitted under the bio-metric system.
Meanwhile, the manpower firms have said that they will not send workers under the new system unless the Nepal government takes a final call. The government is yet to give its final approval for implementation of the new system in Nepal.
“The Malaysian side sent their response nearly a year after we sent our letter expressing some concerns. Albeit late, most of our concerns have been addressed. We will take a decision either to allow implementation of the new system soon,” Bhola Prasad Shiwakoti, secretary at the Ministry of Labour and Employment, told Republica.
While the recruiting firms and the government have voiced concern that the new health test system will be an extra financial burden for the workers, the embassy´s letter stated that there will be no new or additional charges imposed at the medical centers that conduct the bio-metric tests.
“…no new/additional charges shall be imposed by the medical centres until further notice and to be determined by the respective authorities,” reads the letter from the embassy.
Kailash Khadka, president of Nepal Health Professionals Federation (NHPF), also told Republica that they will not charge more than the amount that a worker is currently paying for medical tests. A Malaysia-bound worker has to pay Rs 2,526 for a medical test. In Nepal, 38 medical firms will be conducting the bio-metric tests.
Though Malaysia has informed the Nepal government in writing that it would only accept and process medical reports submitted under the bio-metric system from now onwards, the recruiting firms have declined to adopt the new system. They argue that such a system, which has been outsourced by the Malaysian government to the private company Bestinet Sdn Bhd, would jeopardize the security of foreign-bound workers.
“We might not have any qualms if the bio-metric tests were to be done by the Malaysian or Nepal government. However, the data on the workers will be going into the hands of a private company, and this raises serious safety concerns,” Kumud Khanal, vice-president of the Nepal Association of Foreign Employment Agencies (NAFEA), told Republica. “We are awaiting the government´s decision as this new system cannot be enforced unless it gives its approval,” he added.
NHPF President Khadka, however, claims that the new system will ensure quality medical tests so that the migrant workers will not have to suffer hassles in the destination country. “We have seen some anomalies in the old system whereby the medical tests for aspiring migrant workers are conducted in paper only, not even requiring them to be present during the actual test. In the bio-metric test, workers must be present in person and undergo quality tests,” added Khadka.
The email by Republica late this evening seeking a response from the Malaysian embassy went unanswered.
What is a bio-metric medical test?
The bio-metric medical test is an automated form of health checkup that involves the use of fingerprint scanners or video cameras in a bid to read health condition and medical risks such as level of cholesterol, weight and height, blood glucose and body mass index (BMI), among other things. This system can also perform ultrasound artery screening, which is helpful in determining the risk factor for stroke. The system is capable of detecting cardiovascular problems and risks to the nervous system.
Source: Republica
