Workers’ health check-ups to be conducted strictly in Nepal under labor agreement : Malaysia

Kathmandu — The Malaysian government has clarified that health examinations of Nepali migrant workers are being conducted through 36 designated medical institutions in Nepal under the Bio Medical System (BMS), as stipulated in the bilateral labour agreement between Nepal and Malaysia.

Issuing a public notice on Monday, the Malaysian Embassy in Kathmandu recalled the labour recruitment, employment and repatriation agreement signed between the two countries on November 12, 2018. The embassy stated that the agreement had authorised 36 health institutions to conduct medical examinations for Nepali workers heading to Malaysia through the Bio Medical System.

According to the embassy, the Government of Nepal had fixed the medical examination fee at Rs 6,500, while the Malaysian government had additionally approved a service charge of Rs 3,000 for the use of the BMS. The agreement also clearly states that the cost related to the Bio Medical System must be borne by employers, who reimburse the amount through the worker’s first month salary.

The 36 listed health institutions are required to conduct health examinations in line with Malaysia’s health protocol and standard operating procedures (SOPs). The embassy further clarified that Macro Tech Pvt Ltd and Westinet Sdn Bhd have been legally authorised to implement the BMS in Nepal, collect service fees and transfer the funds in accordance with the law.

“Macro Tech Pvt Ltd and Westinet Sdn Bhd are operating as per the agreement reached between the governments of Nepal and Malaysia,” the embassy stated.

Malaysia and other major labour destination countries require migrant workers to submit medical reports issued only by listed health institutions that meet their prescribed health standards and protocols before labour visas are approved.

Similarly, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has authorised 31 medical institutions in Nepal to conduct health tests for workers travelling to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman. One medical institution has been approved for Qatar, five for Israel and four for South Korea.