Nepal cracks down on recruiters of migrant workers

The Nepalese government has launched a crackdown on rogue recruitment agencies in an effort to stamp out the exploitation of its vast migrant workforce.

According to the Department of Foreign Employment, more than 200 agencies have been punished since mid-February, with suspensions and fines of up to 200,000 rupees (HK$15,900). Offences include overcharging migrants, establishing illegal branches, taking passports without permission, and making false promises about pay and conditions. Nine agencies have been shut for operating without a licence.

"It has had a great impact. Previously there were so many illegal activities, but nowadays [the recruitment agencies] are very careful," said Krishna Hari Pushkar, the department's new director general.

The clampdown is part of Operation De Pogo, a shake-up of the migrant recruitment process initiated by Pushkar amid concern about the exploitation of Nepal's migrants at home and abroad.

In August last year, 17 officers were arrested for issuing fake documents. In March, a further nine were detained for offences that occurred before Pushkar's appointment.

The recruitment agencies - also known as manpower companies - initially reacted with protests, bribes and threats, he said, but this has not fazed him.