Sakar Adhikari, a recent civil engineer graduate, could not have his first job better than the one he was selected for a few months back -a lucrative foreign job with promising facilities.

Adhikari, 21, who had received his engineering degree from Delhi Technological University, had clinched a job as a BIM Co-ordinator in a reputed Malaysian technical company - CNQC.

“When I was in University of Auckland for research I met a person there who had previously worked in the company. He told me to apply for a job. I did. After going through the rigorous selection process, I was selected,” Adhikari told the Post.

While Adhikari looked forward to his first job that would pay him Malaysian Ringgit 5,000 per month, the government was planning a clamp on migrant workers heading to Malaysia.

The government decision targeted unscrupulous recruitment agencies and agents here who charged foreign-bound workers exorbitant fees for documentation, visas by violating rules with impunity. The government clamp on unscrupulous agencies stopped migrant workers to Malaysia.

Since then hundreds of Nepali workers like Adhikari, could not travel to Malaysia despite having job offer letters and valid visas because of the government clamp.

“I was not aware till the company official informed me they had applied for my visa, but it was rejected because of the issue between Nepal and Malaysia governments,” said Adhikari, a resident of Kathmandu.

The much-anticipated labour deal signed by Nepal and Malaysia last week in Kathmandu renews hopes of many workers like Adhikari. The labour deal gives respite to workers from paying exorbitant fees, but departures to Malaysia are yet to resume.

Following the deal, a technical working committee comprising officials from both countries was expected resume workers’ departure to Malaysia. However, the panel agreed to review the existing mechanism like One Stop Centre (OSC) operated by Malaysia VLN Nepal Pvt. Ltd., and Immigration Security Clearance (ISC), the agencies that provide visa services.

Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security Spokesperson Narayan Regmi said, “The labour agreement was a broader framework. The technical working group from both countries is working to deliver the agreement and devise mechanisms necessary to resume departures to Malaysia.”

The ministry official hinted that workers’ migration to Malaysia is likely to begin at the end of month of Kartik, which is end of the next week.

“We cannot say a particular date, but the government is keen to begin sending workers soon,” said Regmi.

While Nepali workers’ departure to Malaysia remains uncertain, workers like Adhikari are likely to lose their first job offer.

“My employer had told me to give them my confirmation whether I could join or not otherwise they would hire another engineer.”