The issue of biometric medical test system is further heating up with local organizations currently engaged in conducting such tests claiming that the Malaysian government is trying to impose the new system in Nepal unilaterally.

Nepal Association for Foreign Employment Agencies (NAFEA) has reiterated its stance against the system, stressing on giving continuity to the existing medical check-up system in Nepal. Organizing a press conference in the capital on Tuesday, the NAFEA officials said that the system would put additional financial burden on Nepali migrant workers.

Speaking at the press conference, General Secretary of the NAFEA, Kamal Tamang, stated that the government hasn´t yet given a nod to the Malaysian government for launching the biometric medical tests in Nepal. "During our meeting with high-level authorities at Labor and Employment Ministry, we were informed that the government doesn´t wish to introduce the biometric system in Nepal," said Tamang. 

Nepal Foreign Employment Medical Association (NFEMA) and the NAFEA have been organizing a series of protests against the implementation of biometric medical test system. On Tuesday, they held a sit-in protest in front of Constituent Assembly (CA) building.

Under the new medical test system, each Malaysia-bound worker will have to pay additional Rs 1,500 in Nepal and 180 Malaysian Ringgit (around Rs. 5300) in Malaysia. Currently, Nepali migrant workers heading for Malaysia are paying Rs 2,525 for medical tests.

Biometric medical test system is an automated form of health check up that involves fingerprints scanner or video camera in a bid to read out the health and health risks such as the level of cholesterol, weight and height, blood glucose, body mass index (BMI) and blood tests, among others. This system can also perform ultrasound artery screening which is helpful to determine the risk factors for stroke. Such a system is capable of detecting cardiovascular problems and risks nervous system.

Published on: 18 June 2014 | Republica