Migration for foreign employment has become a major source of income for a many Nepali households. Almost half of the Nepali households have at least one member working abroad. During the fiscal year of 2014, more than 520,000 labour permits were issued to Nepalis planning to work abroad. Malaysia is the number one destination country for Nepali migrants, closely followed by Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Kuwait.
While Nepali workers might be happy working in certain Malaysian cities, every person, be it from Nepal of Bangladesh, hates toiling on the tea estates in Cameron Highlands. On my multiple visits to the tea estates in Cameron, especially Bharat Tea estate, I learnt that the workers are made to slog for hours and are not paid well for their hard work.
Firstly Nepali workers are not well informed and aware of the legal procedure of working overseas, hence they get cheated by the agents whom they end up paying NPR 50,000 to 2.5 lakhs just to get a job abroad.
As soon as they land in KL, their passport is confiscated by the agents on the other side. When they arrive at the tea estate, the work is nothing like they were told. The work hours are long, they get paid on the basis of the weight of the tea plucked. The company only provides a basket and sacks for free, everything else the workers have to buy from the company. The plucking machine itself costs 3000 MYR, which gets deducted in instalments every month from their minute salary.
Scissors cost - 100 MYR
Shoes - 24 MYR
Machine to cut flowers - 1800 MYR
Grass cutting machine - 1040 MYR
It is also very hazardous to work with these machines and there is no proper training provided to these men. Many workers end up losing a finger or two or hurting themselves in some other way. On an average these men end up earning just about 800 MYR/month after deducting the machinery cost. With that kind of earnings, these workers hardly manage to cover up the money paid to the manpower agent.
These workers have often stated that “They treat us like slaves. We feel like we are in a jail. Each day is hard to pass and we just wait for the end of our three years and leave this hell.”
Most men working on the tea estates in Cameron highlands are either from Nepal or Bangladesh.
Story and images by - Mithila Jariwala
Price - GBP 250
Bharat Tea Estate, Cameron Highland, Malaysia: Homan pun of age 22 is from Macd jilla, Bhakimli, Dhawlagiri in Nepal. He has been working at Bharat Tea estate for about 6 months. In the first half of the day he works on the field, cutting all the unwanted plants and the second half he drives the tractor. He earns about 1500-1600 MYR/month. He has no health cover. He paid the manpower in Kathmandu 50,000 NPR to get this job. Sent money home twice in 2 months. 850 MYR the first time and 500 MYR the second time "Dhere dukh garera paisa teti paude naa" (They make you slog on the field and hardly pay you anything for it). "I have a 3 years contract. Then i will go back to Nepal and then I wont go overseas anywhere. I will live and work in Nepal. Living and working here is very hard and not worth it" Homan's family is Nepal consists of his parents and a younger brother. He also has 2 elder brothers, who work overseas as well- 1 in Malaysia ( since 2 yrs) and the other in Oman (since 1 yr) He studied till class 8.
Bharat Tea Estate, Cameron Highland, Malaysia: Homan pun of age 22 is from Macd jilla, Bhakimli, Dhawlagiri in Nepal. He has been working at Bharat Tea estate for about 6 months. In the first half of the day he works on the field, cutting all the unwanted plants and the second half he drives the tractor. He earns about 1500-1600 MYR/month. He has no health cover. He paid the manpower in Kathmandu 50,000 NPR to get this job. Sent money home twice in 2 months. 850 MYR the first time and 500 MYR the second time "Dhere dukh garera paisa teti paude naa" (They make you slog on the field and hardly pay you anything for it). "I have a 3 years contract. Then i will go back to Nepal and then I wont go overseas anywhere. I will live and work in Nepal. Living and working here is very hard and not worth it" Homan's family is Nepal consists of his parents and a younger brother. He also has 2 elder brothers, who work overseas as well- 1 in Malaysia ( since 2 yrs) and the other in Oman (since 1 yr) He studied till class 8.
Bharat Tea Estate, Cameron Highland, Malaysia
Bharat Tea Estate, Cameron Highland, Malaysia: Quarters, where the workers live in.
Bharat Tea Estate, Cameron Highland, Malaysia: Homan pun of age 22 is from Macd jilla, Bhakimli, Dhawlagiri in Nepal. He has been working at Bharat Tea estate for about 6 months. In the first half of the day he works on the field, cutting all the unwanted plants and the second half he drives the tractor. He earns about 1500-1600 MYR/month. He has no health cover. He paid the manpower in Kathmandu 50,000 NPR to get this job. Sent money home twice in 2 months. 850 MYR the first time and 500 MYR the second time "Dhere dukh garera paisa teti paude naa" (They make you slog on the field and hardly pay you anything for it). "I have a 3 years contract. Then i will go back to Nepal and then I wont go overseas anywhere. I will live and work in Nepal. Living and working here is very hard and not worth it" Homan's family is Nepal consists of his parents and a younger brother. He also has 2 elder brothers, who work overseas as well- 1 in Malaysia ( since 2 yrs) and the other in Oman (since 1 yr) He studied till class 8.
Bharat Tea Estate, Cameron Highland, Malaysia: Homan pun of age 22 is from Macd jilla, Bhakimli, Dhawlagiri in Nepal. He has been working at Bharat Tea estate for about 6 months. In the first half of the day he works on the field, cutting all the unwanted plants and the second half he drives the tractor. He earns about 1500-1600 MYR/month. He has no health cover. He paid the manpower in Kathmandu 50,000 NPR to get this job. Sent money home twice in 2 months. 850 MYR the first time and 500 MYR the second time "Dhere dukh garera paisa teti paude naa" (They make you slog on the field and hardly pay you anything for it). "I have a 3 years contract. Then i will go back to Nepal and then I wont go overseas anywhere. I will live and work in Nepal. Living and working here is very hard and not worth it" Homan's family is Nepal consists of his parents and a younger brother. He also has 2 elder brothers, who work overseas as well- 1 in Malaysia ( since 2 yrs) and the other in Oman (since 1 yr) He studied till class 8.
Bharat Tea Estate, Cameron Highland, Malaysia: Homan pun of age 22 is from Macd jilla, Bhakimli, Dhawlagiri in Nepal. He is in the process of sending money to his family in Nepal. He has been working at Bharat Tea estate for about 6 months. In the first half of the day he works on the field, cutting all the unwanted plants and the second half he drives the tractor. He earns about 1500-1600 MYR/month. He has no health cover. He paid the manpower in Kathmandu 50,000 NPR to get this job. Sent money home twice in 2 months. 850 MYR the first time and 500 MYR the second time "Dhere dukh garera paisa teti paude naa" (They make you slog on the field and hardly pay you anything for it). "I have a 3 years contract. Then i will go back to Nepal and then I wont go overseas anywhere. I will live and work in Nepal. Living and working here is very hard and not worth it" Homan's family is Nepal consists of his parents and a younger brother. He also has 2 elder brothers, who work overseas as well- 1 in Malaysia ( since 2 yrs) and the other in Oman (since 1 yr) He studied till class 8.
Bharat Tea Estate, Cameron Highland, Malaysia: Room of Homan pun. He is of age 22 is from Macd jilla, Bhakimli, Dhawlagiri in Nepal. He has been working at Bharat Tea estate for about 6 months. In the first half of the day he works on the field, cutting all the unwanted plants and the second half he drives the tractor. He earns about 1500-1600 MYR/month. He has no health cover. He paid the manpower in Kathmandu 50,000 NPR to get this job. Sent money home twice in 2 months. 850 MYR the first time and 500 MYR the second time "Dhere dukh garera paisa teti paude naa" (They make you slog on the field and hardly pay you anything for it). "I have a 3 years contract. Then i will go back to Nepal and then I wont go overseas anywhere. I will live and work in Nepal. Living and working here is very hard and not worth it" Homan's family is Nepal consists of his parents and a younger brother. He also has 2 elder brothers, who work overseas as well- 1 in Malaysia ( since 2 yrs) and the other in Oman (since 1 yr) He studied till class 8.
Bharat Tea Estate, Cameron Highland, Malaysia: Room of Homan pun. He is of age 22 is from Macd jilla, Bhakimli, Dhawlagiri in Nepal. He has been working at Bharat Tea estate for about 6 months. In the first half of the day he works on the field, cutting all the unwanted plants and the second half he drives the tractor. He earns about 1500-1600 MYR/month. He has no health cover. He paid the manpower in Kathmandu 50,000 NPR to get this job. Sent money home twice in 2 months. 850 MYR the first time and 500 MYR the second time "Dhere dukh garera paisa teti paude naa" (They make you slog on the field and hardly pay you anything for it). "I have a 3 years contract. Then i will go back to Nepal and then I wont go overseas anywhere. I will live and work in Nepal. Living and working here is very hard and not worth it" Homan's family is Nepal consists of his parents and a younger brother. He also has 2 elder brothers, who work overseas as well- 1 in Malaysia ( since 2 yrs) and the other in Oman (since 1 yr) He studied till class 8.
Bharat Tea Estate, Cameron Highland, Malaysia: Homan pun of age 22 is from Macd jilla, Bhakimli, Dhawlagiri in Nepal. He is in the process of sending money to his family in Nepal. He has been working at Bharat Tea estate for about 6 months. In the first half of the day he works on the field, cutting all the unwanted plants and the second half he drives the tractor. He earns about 1500-1600 MYR/month. He has no health cover. He paid the manpower in Kathmandu 50,000 NPR to get this job. Sent money home twice in 2 months. 850 MYR the first time and 500 MYR the second time "Dhere dukh garera paisa teti paude naa" (They make you slog on the field and hardly pay you anything for it). "I have a 3 years contract. Then i will go back to Nepal and then I wont go overseas anywhere. I will live and work in Nepal. Living and working here is very hard and not worth it" Homan's family is Nepal consists of his parents and a younger brother. He also has 2 elder brothers, who work overseas as well- 1 in Malaysia ( since 2 yrs) and the other in Oman (since 1 yr) He studied till class 8.
Bharat Tea Estate, Cameron Highland, Malaysia: Homan pun of age 22 is from Macd jilla, Bhakimli, Dhawlagiri in Nepal. He has been working at Bharat Tea estate for about 6 months. In the first half of the day he works on the field, cutting all the unwanted plants and the second half he drives the tractor. He earns about 1500-1600 MYR/month. He has no health cover. He paid the manpower in Kathmandu 50,000 NPR to get this job. Sent money home twice in 2 months. 850 MYR the first time and 500 MYR the second time "Dhere dukh garera paisa teti paude naa" (They make you slog on the field and hardly pay you anything for it). "I have a 3 years contract. Then i will go back to Nepal and then I wont go overseas anywhere. I will live and work in Nepal. Living and working here is very hard and not worth it" Homan's family is Nepal consists of his parents and a younger brother. He also has 2 elder brothers, who work overseas as well- 1 in Malaysia ( since 2 yrs) and the other in Oman (since 1 yr) He studied till class 8.
Bharat Tea Estate, Cameron Highland, Malaysia: Homan pun of age 22 is from Macd jilla, Bhakimli, Dhawlagiri in Nepal. He is in the process of sending money to his family in Nepal. He has been working at Bharat Tea estate for about 6 months. In the first half of the day he works on the field, cutting all the unwanted plants and the second half he drives the tractor. He earns about 1500-1600 MYR/month. He has no health cover. He paid the manpower in Kathmandu 50,000 NPR to get this job. Sent money home twice in 2 months. 850 MYR the first time and 500 MYR the second time "Dhere dukh garera paisa teti paude naa" (They make you slog on the field and hardly pay you anything for it). "I have a 3 years contract. Then i will go back to Nepal and then I wont go overseas anywhere. I will live and work in Nepal. Living and working here is very hard and not worth it" Homan's family is Nepal consists of his parents and a younger brother. He also has 2 elder brothers, who work overseas as well- 1 in Malaysia ( since 2 yrs) and the other in Oman (since 1 yr) He studied till class 8.
Bharat Tea Estate, Cameron Highland, Malaysia.
Bharat Tea Estate, Cameron Highland, Malaysia: Life of a migrant worker.
Bharat Tea Estate, Cameron Highland, Malaysia: Roopnarayan of age 30 is from Navalparasi, near Bhutval, Nepal. He has been working here for over 2.5 years. He lost half his finger in leaf cutting machine (Plucking machine) in December 2016. At the time, the company paid for his medical expense, which was later deducted from his salary once he received insurance from the government. "I paid NPR 1,40,000 to manpower to come and work here. I am only able to ear about 800-900 MYR/month. Here you have to buy your own equipment, which cost 3000 MYR. I had to buy it twice as my first one was spoilt. They charged me an extra 1000 MYR because the machine got spoilt. They deduct the money of the equipment from my salary every month until they have collected the entire amount." "I dont like it here. I will not return once i go back in June 2017". Roopnarayan is married and has 2 kids. His son 6 and daughter is 3. She has hardly seen her father. He sends money home as and when he can.
Bharat Tea Estate, Cameron Highland, Malaysia: When the workers arrive, the company only provides a basket and sacks for free, everything else the worker have to buy from the company. This machine itself costs 3000 MYR, which gets deducted in instalments every month from their minute salary. Scissors cost - 100 MYR Shoes - 24 MYR Machine to cut flowers - 1800 MYR Grass cutting machine - 1040 MYR
Bharat Tea Estate, Cameron Highland, Malaysia: When the workers arrive, the company only provides a basket and sacks for free, everything else the worker have to buy from the company. This machine itself costs 3000 MYR, which gets deducted in instalments every month from their minute salary. Scissors cost - 100 MYR Shoes - 24 MYR Machine to cut flowers - 1800 MYR Grass cutting machine - 1040 MYR
Bharat Tea Estate, Cameron Highland, Malaysia: Roopnarayan of age 30 is from Navalparasi, near Bhutval, Nepal. He has been working here for over 2.5 years. He lost half his finger in leaf cutting machine (Plucking machine) in December 2016. At the time, the company paid for his medical expense, which was later deducted from his salary once he received insurance from the government. "I paid NPR 1,40,000 to manpower to come and work here. I am only able to ear about 800-900 MYR/month. Here you have to buy your own equipment, which cost 3000 MYR. I had to buy it twice as my first one was spoilt. They charged me an extra 1000 MYR because the machine got spoilt. They deduct the money of the equipment from my salary every month until they have collected the entire amount." "I dont like it here. I will not return once i go back in June 2017". Roopnarayan is married and has 2 kids. His son 6 and daughter is 3. She has hardly seen her father. He sends money home as and when he can.
Bharat Tea Estate, Cameron Highland, Malaysia: Roopnarayan of age 30 is from Navalparasi, near Bhutval, Nepal. He has been working here for over 2.5 years. He lost half his finger in leaf cutting machine (Plucking machine) in December 2016. At the time, the company paid for his medical expense, which was later deducted from his salary once he received insurance from the government. "I paid NPR 1,40,000 to manpower to come and work here. I am only able to ear about 800-900 MYR/month. Here you have to buy your own equipment, which cost 3000 MYR. I had to buy it twice as my first one was spoilt. They charged me an extra 1000 MYR because the machine got spoilt. They deduct the money of the equipment from my salary every month until they have collected the entire amount." "I dont like it here. I will not return once i go back in June 2017". Roopnarayan is married and has 2 kids. His son 6 and daughter is 3. She has hardly seen her father. He sends money home as and when he can.
Bharat Tea Estate, Cameron Highland, Malaysia: Roopnarayan of age 30 is from Navalparasi, near Bhutval, Nepal. He has been working here for over 2.5 years. He lost half his finger in leaf cutting machine (Plucking machine) in December 2016. At the time, the company paid for his medical expense, which was later deducted from his salary once he received insurance from the government. "I paid NPR 1,40,000 to manpower to come and work here. I am only able to ear about 800-900 MYR/month. Here you have to buy your own equipment, which cost 3000 MYR. I had to buy it twice as my first one was spoilt. They charged me an extra 1000 MYR because the machine got spoilt. They deduct the money of the equipment from my salary every month until they have collected the entire amount." "I dont like it here. I will not return once i go back in June 2017". Roopnarayan is married and has 2 kids. His son 6 and daughter is 3. She has hardly seen her father. He sends money home as and when he can.
Bharat Tea Estate, Cameron Highland, Malaysia: Roopnarayan of age 30 is from Navalparasi, near Bhutval, Nepal. He has been working here for over 2.5 years. He lost half his finger in leaf cutting machine (Plucking machine) in December 2016. At the time, the company paid for his medical expense, which was later deducted from his salary once he received insurance from the government. "I paid NPR 1,40,000 to manpower to come and work here. I am only able to ear about 800-900 MYR/month. Here you have to buy your own equipment, which cost 3000 MYR. I had to buy it twice as my first one was spoilt. They charged me an extra 1000 MYR because the machine got spoilt. They deduct the money of the equipment from my salary every month until they have collected the entire amount." "I dont like it here. I will not return once i go back in June 2017". Roopnarayan is married and has 2 kids. His son 6 and daughter is 3. She has hardly seen her father. He sends money home as and when he can.
They save up money and buy television and radio for their own entertainment as they spend most of their time on the tea estate.
Bharat Tea Estate, Cameron Highland, Malaysia: Roopnarayan of age 30 is from Navalparasi, near Bhutval, Nepal. He has been working here for over 2.5 years. He lost half his finger in leaf cutting machine (Plucking machine) in December 2016. At the time, the company paid for his medical expense, which was later deducted from his salary once he received insurance from the government. "I paid NPR 1,40,000 to manpower to come and work here. I am only able to ear about 800-900 MYR/month. Here you have to buy your own equipment, which cost 3000 MYR. I had to buy it twice as my first one was spoilt. They charged me an extra 1000 MYR because the machine got spoilt. They deduct the money of the equipment from my salary every month until they have collected the entire amount." "I dont like it here. I will not return once i go back in June 2017". Roopnarayan is married and has 2 kids. His son 6 and daughter is 3. She has hardly seen her father. He sends money home as and when he can.
They save up money and buy television and radio for their own entertainment as they spend most of their time on the tea estate.
Bharat Tea Estate, Cameron Highland, Malaysia:
Inside the life of a migrant worker
Bharat Tea Estate, Cameron Highland, Malaysia: Homan pun of age 22 is from Macd jilla, Bhakimli, Dhawlagiri in Nepal. He is in the process of sending money to his family in Nepal. He has been working at Bharat Tea estate for about 6 months. In the first half of the day he works on the field, cutting all the unwanted plants and the second half he drives the tractor. He earns about 1500-1600 MYR/month. He has no health cover. He paid the manpower in Kathmandu 50,000 NPR to get this job. Sent money home twice in 2 months. 850 MYR the first time and 500 MYR the second time "Dhere dukh garera paisa teti paude naa" (They make you slog on the field and hardly pay you anything for it). "I have a 3 years contract. Then i will go back to Nepal and then I wont go overseas anywhere. I will live and work in Nepal. Living and working here is very hard and not worth it" Homan's family is Nepal consists of his parents and a younger brother. He also has 2 elder brothers, who work overseas as well- 1 in Malaysia ( since 2 yrs) and the other in Oman (since 1 yr) He studied till class 8.
Bharat Tea Estate, Cameron Highland, Malaysia: Homan pun of age 22 is from Macd jilla, Bhakimli, Dhawlagiri in Nepal. He has been working at Bharat Tea estate for about 6 months. In the first half of the day he works on the field, cutting all the unwanted plants and the second half he drives the tractor. He earns about 1500-1600 MYR/month. He has no health cover. He paid the manpower in Kathmandu 50,000 NPR to get this job. Sent money home twice in 2 months. 850 MYR the first time and 500 MYR the second time "Dhere dukh garera paisa teti paude naa" (They make you slog on the field and hardly pay you anything for it). "I have a 3 years contract. Then i will go back to Nepal and then I wont go overseas anywhere. I will live and work in Nepal. Living and working here is very hard and not worth it" Homan's family is Nepal consists of his parents and a younger brother. He also has 2 elder brothers, who work overseas as well- 1 in Malaysia ( since 2 yrs) and the other in Oman (since 1 yr) He studied till class 8.
Bharat Tea Estate, Cameron Highland, Malaysia: Homan pun (Left) of age 22 is from Macd jilla, Bhakimli, Dhawlagiri in Nepal. He has been working at Bharat Tea estate for about 6 months. In the first half of the day he works on the field, cutting all the unwanted plants and the second half he drives the tractor. He earns about 1500-1600 MYR/month. He has no health cover. He paid the manpower in Kathmandu 50,000 NPR to get this job. Sent money home twice in 2 months. 850 MYR the first time and 500 MYR the second time "Dhere dukh garera paisa teti paude naa" (They make you slog on the field and hardly pay you anything for it). "I have a 3 years contract. Then i will go back to Nepal and then I wont go overseas anywhere. I will live and work in Nepal. Living and working here is very hard and not worth it" Homan's family is Nepal consists of his parents and a younger brother. He also has 2 elder brothers, who work overseas as well- 1 in Malaysia ( since 2 yrs) and the other in Oman (since 1 yr) He studied till class 8. Muhammad Zianuddin (right) of age 16years is from Lombok, Indonesia. Working here since November 2016. "I no like here. Work too much but no money."
Bharat Tea Estate, Cameron Highland, Malaysia:
Bharat Tea Estate, Cameron Highland, Malaysia:
Bharat Tea Estate, Cameron Highland, Malaysia:
Bharat Tea Estate, Cameron Highland, Malaysia:
Bharat Tea Estate, Cameron Highland, Malaysia:
Bharat Tea Estate, Cameron Highland, Malaysia:
Bharat Tea Estate, Cameron Highland, Malaysia: Buddhi bahadur gurung of age 26 years, is from Lamjung, Nepal. He finished his contract of 3 years at the tea estate. He left for Nepal in January 2017. Prior to this, he worked in Dubai for 6 months, where he was diagnosed with jaundice and had to return. "Working in Dubai was good. They also paid well. Now once I go home I will not go anywhere. I will live and work in Nepal only". "I didn't like it here. This company is not good. They make us work extremely hard and pay us nothing. We also had to buy our own equipment and pay for our own medical expenses." "None of the workers like here. They leave in a few months. If they are on contract then they have no option but to work for 3 yrs."