THE series of Covid-19 lockdowns has put the brakes on Nepalese guards leaving the country and helped ease the shortage of workers, for now, the Security Industry Association of Malaysia (PIKM) said.

Its president Ramli Yusuff said with borders closed intermittently since last March, Nepalese guards had found it difficult to return.

He said the industry still needs Nepalese guards but they are able to manage for now.

Ramli said Putrajaya had also placed an embargo on new foreign guards being brought into the country since last year.

“Even Nepal has stopped sending their citizens here during the pandemic due to the high number of cases.

“There were concerns by the guards initially of not being able to go back, but generally they are calmer now compared with the first lockdown,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

PIKM said according to the Home Ministry’s data, there are about 29,000 Nepalese guards stationed nationwide and the authorities have made it clear that security firms can only bring in Nepalese to be guards.

Ramli said they are mostly centred in the Klang Valley, Penang and Johor.

He added that PIKM currently has about 900 companies under their association.

“There are guards who want to go back when they hear about the high cases in their country, but we ask our members to try and persuade them to stay and many have opted to stay on,” he said.

He said the guards have a minimum two years contract with a three-year extension, however, now the period has been extended to 10 years.

On the issue of guards testing positive for Covid-19, Ramli said based on information from its members, there were slightly over 100 guards who had tested positive since the first movement-control order last year.

“The reason was cramped living quarters with no social distancing and big numbers (guards) living in one place.

“We advised and got our members to follow all the government standard operating procedure (SOP) for accommodation to prevent infections.”

He said they are complying with the Workers’ Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act 1990 (Act 446), which came into effect in September last year.

Ramli said based on their members’ information, about 20 guards have tested positive since January this year.

“Those tested positive will be segregated from the rest and sent for treatment.”

He said PIKM was pushing to have the guards vaccinated as soon as possible to fight the pandemic.

No issues working in Malaysia

Nepalese guard Jajdish Singh Mahara, 30, is looking forward to seeing his two-year-old son.

“I have been here for one and a half year and I hope that the lockdown will end so that I can return to my hometown.

“I hope to see my son when my contract ends.”

As for the current pandemic in Nepal, he said that his wife and son are alright.

“My family lives with my father and mother. I call them daily to check on them.”

Jagdish said he has no qualms working in Malaysia and will return if he gets the chance. 

Another guard, Ramlal BK, 26, said he is planning to get married when he returns to his hometown in the Baglung district.

“I’m planning to get engaged and married to my girlfriend when I return. Every few days I call her and my parents to keep in touch.

“I have six months to go before my contract ends. So, far I have no issue here. I don’t go out much and we follow the SOP. I am hopeful I will be able to fly back to my country.”

Jeevan Bhandari, 40, who has five months left on his contract said he doesn’t plan to return to Malaysia as he needs to care for his three children aged two, three and 13.

“I don’t think I will return to Malaysia. My children keep asking for me.

“I plan to look for a job in Nepal as I want to be with my family.”

Meanwhile, Pristine Security Sdn Bhd executive chairman Khirudin Tajudin said so far there are no major issues with his guards.

“My company started counselling session for the Nepalese to help them address their issues back home. 

Khirudin, who has employed 42 Nepalese guards, added that they have also instructed their guards to stay indoors as much as possible when not on the job.

“We only allow six guards to live in a unit. We also provide them masks, shields and all other equipment to ensure their safety.

“If we suspect there is a problem, we will take immediate action.” – June 14, 2021.