Malaysia — a major destination country for Nepali migrant workers — has introduced a 10-point set of stringent criteria aimed at reducing the number of Nepali private recruitment agencies (manpower companies) eligible to send workers there.
The Malaysian government has formally requested the Government of Nepal to submit a list of manpower agencies that meet these new standards for approval.
According to an official diplomatic note sent by Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Embassy of Nepal in Kuala Lumpur, the decision seeks to rationalize the number of licensed private recruitment agencies facilitating the hiring and transfer of Nepali workers to Malaysia.
Malaysia’s Ministry of Human Resources will implement this process through an objective and merit-based selection system. Nepal must submit the list of qualified manpower agencies meeting all 10 mandatory criteria by November 15, 2025.
The diplomatic note clearly states:
“Incomplete applications or agencies failing to meet the prescribed criteria will not be included in the selection process.”
Malaysia believes the new policy will contribute to a more ethical, transparent, and sustainable labor migration relationship between the two countries.
10 Mandatory Criteria for Selection
The new requirements are expected to make it almost impossible for small or under-resourced companies to send workers to Malaysia. The 10 criteria are as follows:
- Minimum 5 Years of Operation:
The manpower company must be officially registered and licensed by the Government of Nepal and must have been in continuous operation for at least five years. - Experience of Sending at Least 3,000 Workers in the Last 3 Years:
The company must have a verified record of deploying at least 3,000 foreign workers within the past three years. - Experience Sending Workers to at Least 3 Other Countries:
The company must have experience managing worker deployment to at least three different countries other than Malaysia. - Valid Licenses from All Regulatory Bodies:
The company must possess all necessary permits and licenses for training, evaluation, recruitment, and deployment issued by the relevant authorities. - Certificate of Good Conduct of the Company Director:
The company’s director must submit an official “Certificate of Good Conduct” issued by the competent authority of the home country. - Clean Ethical and Legal Record:
The company must not have been involved in forced labor, human trafficking, labor law violations, extortion, money laundering, or any other financial or criminal misconduct. - In-House Training and Assessment Center:
The company must own and operate a fully equipped training and evaluation center — including housing, technical training, and orientation facilities — under its direct control. - At Least 5 Positive Recommendation Letters from International Employers:
The company must provide written recommendation letters from at least five foreign employers satisfied with its recruitment services. - Permanent Office of Minimum 10,000 Sq. Ft.:
The company must have a permanent office space of at least 10,000 square feet with adequate infrastructure and facilities, operating continuously for at least three years. - Proof of Compliance in Previous Recruitment Processes:
The company must submit documentation proving full compliance with recruitment requirements and labor laws in past deployments to Malaysia and other countries.
Observers believe this decision will have a major impact on Nepal’s foreign employment sector, as very few agencies are expected to meet these strict requirements.
Some stakeholders have even described it as a move that could create a syndicate among a few powerful recruitment agencies.
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