Malaysia jobs: department warns manpower firms over FWCMS dispute, entrepreneurs object

The Department of Foreign Employment has warned manpower companies listed on Malaysia's Foreign Workers Centralised Management System, FWCMS, to withdraw their affiliation.

In a letter sent on Asoj 12, the department noted that its directive of Bhadra 26 had not been complied with.

Citing Section 54 of the Foreign Employment Act, 2064 BS, the department wrote to the system warning it and directing it to provide information within seven days.

A further directive has also been issued under Section 37 of the Act.

The dispute began after Malaysia, on Bhadra 5, placed designated recruiting companies from 10 labor-source countries, including Nepal, onto the system.

About 25 Nepali companies have been listed as main agents, with around 250 subsidiary companies under them.

The government has not accepted this structure, which gives recruitment rights to only a limited number of companies, saying it does not conform to Nepal's foreign employment law.

The government has begun diplomatic efforts to send workers through the old process instead.

About eight years ago, Malaysia employment was suspended for nearly 15 months amid a dispute over an additional fee imposed on workers.

Manpower entrepreneurs, however, have objected to the department's letter, calling it an immature decision.