Entrepreneurs operating medical centers for the medical tests of Nepali migrant workers have warned of protest if the government did not ask the Malaysian government to call off the new biometric medical checkup launched in Nepal.

The entrepreneurs have alleged that the Malaysian government has introduced the biometric medical checkup system, effective from January 2, without any consultation with the concerned government bodies of Nepal, including Ministry of Labor and Employment (MoLE).

“Ignoring diplomatic protocols, the Malaysian government has made unilateral decision to introduce the biometric medical tests for Nepali workers. The new system is likely to add additional burden on the shoulders of Malaysia-bound workers as the medical fee is costly compared to the existing one. In addition, the start-up cost of the biometric medical system for medical centers in Nepal is unaffordable. We want the government to ask the Malaysian government to immediately quash the new system,” argued Khadka Bahadur Shresha, president of Nepal Foreign Employment Medical Association (NeFEMA).

Under the new system, only those medical centers would be eligible to carry out the medical tests on Malaysia-bound workers which have been registered under the biometric system developed by a Malaysian company, Bestinet Sdn Bhd. Each medical center has to pay Rs 300,000 for the registration only. After the registration, medical centers have to pay additional Rs 500,000 for the mandatory purchase of medical equipments and install software produced by the Malaysian company. On top of that, the registered medical centers have to pay Rs 264,000 annually for renewal of its registration.

Altogether 305 medical centers are in operation across the country currently.

“Not all medical centers can afford to install the expensive equipments and software. It will be limited within the access of few medical centers and they may monopolize the cost of the medical tests in the days to come. We are totally against the new biometric medical test. The Malaysian government should immediately roll back the move,” he said.

The government has said that medical centers cannot charge more than Rs 2,625 per person for the medical examination. But under the new system, each foreign worker has to pay additional Rs 1500 to Rs 4125.

“If we have to work under the new system, we cannot provide the medical test at the existing fee. The fees may shoot up as we have to recover the investment,” he maintained.

He said that the Nepal government should develop its own biometric system and link it with the systems of other countries where Nepali workers go for employment. “If needed, we are ready to provide financial assistance to the government. The biometric medical test introduced by the Malaysian government is costly and at the same time a huge amount of money goes to the foreign land while purchasing equipments required for the medical tests.”

“We will launch stern protests if the government did not respond to our demands,” he warned.

The NeFEMA is going to organize a sit-in protest in front of Malaysian embassy, MoLE, Ministry of Foreign Affair on January 13 and January 15 to pile pressure on the concerned authorities to withdraw the decision to implement the biometric medical tests.

Dipak Dhital, spokesperson for MoFA, said that the ministry is holding talks with the Malaysian government through diplomatic channel. “We have asked them to reconsider the decision as it has a huge impact on the workers who go overseas taking massive loans. They should have told us before introducing the new system as a large number of Nepali workers are working in Malaysia. They should also think about our workers as they are also helping to develop their country,” he added.

Over 150,000 Nepali workers are working in Malaysia, according to MoLE.        

Published on: 13 January 2014 | Republica