The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is mulling over appointing additional staff in the Nepali Embassy in Kuala Lumpur to provide services to hundreds of undocumented Nepali workers who have been approaching the mission for help. The Malaysian government launched a fresh round of crackdown against illegal foreign workers on Monday.

In course of three days, Malaysian authorities have arrested some 90 Nepalis, who overstayed their visa, said Hemlal Bhattarai, Deputy Chief of Mission at the embassy. He added that some of the arrestees have already been freed.

More than 2,000 Nepalis have approached the embassy seeking help for their safe return home following the swoop, he said. Police have notified the embassy that they would allow all those arrestees and illegal workers to return home if they produced a valid travel permit and an air-ticket to return home. “Travel documents are what the workers want from us,” Bhattarai said, adding, “We have been working overtime, but have been unable to get all works done.”

MoFA Spokesperson Deepak Dhital said the embassy is doing its best to issue documents to Nepali workers so that they return home safe and to ensure early and safe release of the arrestees, for which the ministry is considering to deploy additional staff for the time being.

“We have two options with us — sending staff from the ministry or hiring local staff,” he said. “We have been considering both the options and would come to a conclusion soon.”

As per Malaysian newspaper reports, local authorities would investigate both the arrestees and their employers before deporting illegal migrants.

Published on: 23 January 2014 | The Himalayan Times