KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia and Nepal have agreed to improve their labour recruitment mechanism to make the process more orderly and transparent while reducing the risk of worker exploitation.

Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan said the matter was discussed during a telephone conversation with Nepal’s Minister of Youth, Labour and Employment Ramjee Yadav.

In a Facebook post on September 23, Ramanan said both countries acknowledged the need to address recruitment practices that impose excessive costs on workers or leave them vulnerable to exploitation by unscrupulous intermediaries.

“Malaysia remains committed to managing foreign workers based on the principles of integrity, transparency, accountability and worker protection, without neglecting the real needs of our industries and labour market.

“Our principle is clear. The system must protect workers, facilitate employers, and at the same time close off any room for exploitation and abuse,” he said.

Ramanan said Malaysia and Nepal would continue using established bilateral channels to strengthen cooperation in labour and employment.

The two countries have maintained diplomatic relations since 1960.

Ramanan also conveyed Malaysia’s condolences and sympathy to the Nepalese government and people over the loss of lives and destruction caused by devastating floods last month.

He said the MADANI government would continue monitoring the situation involving 55 Malaysians who remained uncontactable following the disaster.

International media reports said the death toll from the August 26 disaster along the Nepal-China border had exceeded 1,450, while more than 6,000 people remained missing across the two countries.