Kathmandu: Ajay Kumar Yadav of Saptari was scheduled to fly to Malaysia on Baisakh 29 to work as a security guard. Under the government’s “Free Visa, Free Ticket” policy, manpower companies are permitted to charge workers a maximum service fee of only Rs 10,000 for processing employment arrangements. However, Yadav had already paid Rs 70,000 in cash to a manpower company named Grand Sweet Job.
Despite this payment, the manpower company allegedly refused to allow him to travel unless he paid an additional Rs 300,000, stating that they would “not accept even one rupee less.” Although the employer company in Malaysia had already sent the visa and air ticket, Yadav’s dream of working abroad could not materialize because he was unable to pay the demanded amount.
The company later informed him that he would be allowed to fly on Jestha 3 if he paid the remaining Rs 220,000. In response, Yadav arranged the money and traveled overnight to Kathmandu on Saturday morning.
A staff member from the manpower company contacted Yadav that same morning and asked him to bring the money to a meeting point near the petrol pump in Gairigaun, Tinkune, claiming that the passport and other documents were in his possession. By then, Yadav had already informed the secretariat of Minister for Youth, Labour and Employment Ramji Yadav about the difficulties he was facing. Yadav is also a voter from the minister’s constituency.
To help resolve the issue, the minister’s personal deputy secretary, Saroj Yadav, personally became involved. Accompanied by several journalists, he coordinated with police officers at the Tinkune Police Circle before proceeding to the meeting location where Yadav and the manpower company employee were supposed to meet.
According to reports, the employee, who identified himself as working in the visa section of the manpower company, initially demanded the money from Yadav. Yadav insisted that he would hand over the money only after receiving his passport and documents. Following a brief argument, police officers intervened and detained the employee.
During questioning, the employee reportedly admitted to demanding Rs 300,000 for a process that should legally cost only Rs 10,000 under the “Free Visa, Free Ticket” policy. He was subsequently taken to the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office for further investigation.
Police recovered four passports, flight tickets, and other important documents from the employee. Authorities suspect that he intended to collect money from all four individuals before releasing their documents.
The incident has once again highlighted how innocent migrant workers are allegedly being exploited and extorted in the name of foreign employment, despite government regulations prohibiting such practices.
Speaking on the matter, Saroj Yadav stated:
“Today, in Gairigaun, Tinkune, we prevented an innocent Nepali citizen from being cheated. We sincerely thank the police officers who supported this special operation.”Yadav had completed all required procedures for employment as a security guard in Malaysia through the company’s branch office in Jhapa. Although the government-approved official fee for traveling to Malaysia is only Rs 10,000, the manpower company allegedly demanded Rs 310,000 in total. The agency had initially offered a discount of Rs 10,000 and settled on Rs 300,000.
Although Yadav had already paid Rs 70,000 in cash for tickets and processing, the manpower company allegedly withheld his passport, labor approval, and flight ticket until the remaining amount was paid. Initially, the arrested agent claimed that he was merely collecting payment before handing over the documents. However, when police questioned why Rs 300,000 was being demanded for a country covered under the “Free Visa, Free Ticket” policy, he reportedly remained silent. Following police intervention, Yadav’s passport, labor approval, insurance documents, and flight ticket were recovered and returned to him. As a result, he is now expected to fly to Malaysia on Sunday. Expressing his relief, Yadav said:
“At first, the manpower company told me that no money would be required and that everything would be managed after I passed the interview. But once the visa arrived, they began threatening me, saying I would not be allowed to go unless I paid Rs 300,000. Poor people are forced to take loans to arrange such money. Those involved in this kind of exploitation must face strict action.”
The secretariat of Minister Ramji Yadav has also urged citizens facing problems related to foreign employment to contact the Ministry of Labour directly. Police have stated that further legal action and investigation against the arrested agent are underway. Source: gorkhapatraonline.com
