Nepali Workers to Malaysia Rebound Strongly with 89% Growth in Renew Entry

Nepali migrant workers heading to Malaysia have shown a sharp rebound in 2025/26. According to the Department of Foreign Employment, 2,513 Nepali workers renewed their labor contracts for Malaysia in the first month of 2025/26, compared to 1,327 during the same period last year — a remarkable 89.37% growth.

Malaysia now accounts for 10.6% of total renew entries, making it one of the fastest-growing destinations for Nepali workers in the current fiscal year. This surge reflects improving demand for labor in Malaysia’s manufacturing, electronics, plantation, and services sectors, where Nepali workers are widely employed.

Analysts say the rebound is also tied to Malaysia’s economic recovery and industrial expansion, which has increased reliance on foreign labor. For Nepali workers, Malaysia remains attractive due to proximity, relatively better working conditions compared to the Gulf, and higher renewal rates for those already employed.

However, concerns remain over labor rights violations, wage disputes, and recruitment malpractices in Malaysia. Experts argue that Nepal must strengthen bilateral labor agreements and monitoring mechanisms to ensure that the rebound in renew entry translates into sustainable and safe employment for workers.