Prime Minister Sushila Karki has directed Labor Secretary Krishna Hari Pushkar to study the possible impact of the new standards set by the Malaysian government for foreign employment entrepreneurs and take necessary initiatives.

Prime Minister Karki summoned Secretary Pushkar to his office on Thursday morning and inquired about the matter. Malaysia has set 10 criteria to select a 'reasonable number' of manpower companies in source countries to strengthen the practice of decent labor migration. It has requested five countries, including its main source country, Nepal, to send a list of manpower companies that meet the criteria by Kartik 29.

Secretary Pushkar informed that he had received the new criteria sent by Malaysia. He said that it should be addressed diplomatically. Prime Minister Karki has also directed to coordinate with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Finance and Labor.

Malaysia is a major destination country for unskilled workers. The Foreign Employment Entrepreneurs Association has urged the Nepal government to reject Malaysia's new criteria, saying that it will create a monopoly.