KATHMANDU, July 2: The report of a study has revealed significant exploitation of Nepali workers in Malaysian detention centers, urging immediate rescue efforts. This joint study by the Migrant Nepali Coordination Committee (PNCC) and the Center for the Study of Labor and Mobility (CESLAM) indicates an increase in exploitation compared to the past. The report, published on Sunday, analyzes the experiences of 758 Nepali workers who had returned to Nepal after being held in Malaysian deportation centers.
The report recommends that the Nepali Embassy in Malaysia actively monitor these centers and collaborate with local authorities for the rescue and treatment of detained workers. It highlights the urgent need for coordination with local authorities to ensure proper monitoring and control of Nepali workers in prisons and detention centers, noting that many detainees lack timely legal protection.
The report also emphasizes the high costs of legal consultation services in Malaysia, stating, "The expense of hiring a lawyer is considerable. Failing to appoint a lawyer promptly leads to delays in court hearings, causing stress for the workers and their families."
Additionally, the study points out the high number of Nepali arrests, especially among those leaving the companies they were working for in Malaysia. It found that 61 percent of individuals arrested had left their companies. The statistics reveal that Nepalis are often imprisoned for conflicts with colleagues or employers, murder, theft, drug-related offenses, sale of fake alcohol, gambling, and kidnapping.