KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 10 (Bernama) -- About 50,000 Nepalese workers areengaged in four sectors in Malaysia since the Malaysian government gaveits nod for their intake in January last year.

Nepal's Honorary Consul in Malaysia S.C. Vadiveloo said about 800employers applied to take in Nepalese and all their applications wereapproved.

"Most of them are employed in the manufacturing sector while a smallnumber in construction and plantation sectors," he told Bernama in aninterview.

Nepalese are allowed to work in manufacturing. services, construction andplantation.

"They are not allowed to marry Malaysian girls," he said. Vadiveloo saidapproval for recruitment was only given if the Nepalese government wassatisfied with salary, working conditions, medical leave and insurancecoverage.

He said the workers were recruited through registered Nepalese agents.There are about 250 agents in the land-locked South Asian country of some22 million people.

He said the oil palm industry in Sabah had asked for workers from Nepaland the request is being looked into by the consulate.

Prior to January last year, Nepalese were only allowed to be hired assecurity guards.

Asked about Nepalese working illegally in Malaysia, he said, they couldnumber between 1,000 and 2,000.

He said they should surrender to the authorities to be deported and returnto Malaysia legally if they are interested to work in the country.

Vadiveloo said from his factory visits and feedback gathered, employersare happy with Nepalese and the foreign workers are also satisfied withthe working conditions.

"Nepalese are known for their discipline, honesty, obedience and loyaltyto their employers. Except for a few minor cases, there are no majorproblems involving Nepalese workers," he said.

On the week-long visit by Nepalese Minister for Labour and TransportManagement Palten Gurung to Malaysia, Vadiveloo said, the ministerconveyed his government's appreciation to Malaysia for recognising Nepalas one of the source countries for foreign workers.

"He will report to the Nepalese government about the recruitment offoreign workers on a government-to-government arrangement. If both sidesagree, they can sign an agreement in about two or three months," he said.

-- BERNAMA