Sim: No HR Ministry approval issued for private firm’s claim

PUTRAJAYA: No endorsement was ever issued by the Human Resources Ministry to a private firm claiming to have entered into an agreement with the Nepali government providing welfare and protection services for migrant workers, says Steven Sim (pic).

The Human Resources Minister said the government has communicated the matter to the Nepali mission for feedback.

“I would like to emphasise that there is no agreement or endorsement ever issued by the ministry over the matter,” he told reporters yesterday.

ALSO READ: Mired in controversy

Asked if a private firm would be allowed to offer welfare services to migrant workers in the country, Sim said no such service by a third party should be offered.

“We have informed the foreign mission of this for feedback,” he added.

On Jan 11, The Star reported that a Malaysian firm had entered into an agreement with an official of the Foreign Employment Board of Nepal to provide “protection and welfare” services for Nepali migrant workers in Malaysia for a fee of US$45 (RM210) per worker.

Meanwhile, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail clarified that only memoranda of understanding between governments are binding and enforceable.

ALSO READ: Firm supposedly providing foreign workers services ‘cleanses’ its website

“The MOUs are government-to-government, binding to both countries,” said Saifuddin, who was also present at the press conference.

He also said that the government will revisit all MOUs pertaining to foreign labourers with the respective source countries.

“The government will revisit all MOUs with labour-source countries that we have established.

ALSO READ: Local firm’s ‘protection’ of Nepali migrants faces scrutiny

“We will review various elements, which include costs, contract conditions, health and others,” Saifuddin said.

Earlier, the ministers attended the Third Joint Meeting between the Home Ministry and Human Resources Ministry on Migrant Workers Management here.