Aakarshan sends migrant workers abroad at zero cost

 Kathmandu, July 28: 

Aakarshan International Pvt. Ltd. has facilitated the employment of 1,875 Nepali migrant workers in Malaysia at zero cost – by adopting the fair recruitment process without incurring any expenses. 

Those workers include 1,654 men and 221 women, informed Bishnu KC, Chairman of the company. 

Established 18 years ago, Aakarshan International has been sending Nepali citizens interested in foreign employment, especially to Malaysia, at zero cost.

Since 2015, the Government of Nepal has adopted the policy of 'free visa free ticket' system for foreign employment in Malaysia and Qatar. But the company has been sending all the workers abroad at zero cost. According to KC, it has submitted a memorandum letter informing about its activities of sending workers at zero cost to the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, Department of Foreign Employment, Foreign Employment Board and Nepali embassies abroad.

"Our company believes that the workers should be able to go abroad in a free and transparent manner. We would like to inform you that we are paying all the expenses incurred by the workers when they go abroad, such as visa, ticket, medical, insurance, welfare fund, social security fund, etc., as well as the car rental, food, accommodation management and passport application fees for the process from the interview to the flight," KC said in an interaction with journalists on Wednesday. 

He said that the workers' rights and safety was ensured before sending them abroad for employment. 

When marketing to Malaysia for foreign employment, the company works with the internationally recognised organisations such as the International Labour Organisation, Responsible Business Alliance, International Recruitment Integrity System and Supplier Ethical Data Exchange. 

The company has expressed its commitment to providing the data and details of the workers sent by it to Malaysia at zero cost to the concerned government agencies. 

Stating that since the company has benefitted a large number of Nepali workers, their benefits and state coffers, it should be facilitated and promoted with capacity enhancement support, motivational programmes by the government organisations. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 28 July 2023.