New Policy Allows Labour Exploitation Victims To Work In Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 12 (Bernama) -- The Home Ministry Thursday announced a new policy that will allow migrants who are victims of labour exploitation and have been placed in shelter homes to take up employment in Malaysia upon their release. Deputy Minister Lee Chee Leong, in making the announcement on behalf of Minister Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, said the victims would have to fulfill four conditions before they can take up a job in the country. "Certain conditions are imposed, namely prior consent of the victims, approval from their diplomatic missions, confirmation that their safety is not guaranteed if they return to their country of origin, and they have entered the country legally," he said. Lee spoke to reporters after opening the Bali Process Workshop on Protection for Victims of Trafficking in Persons, here. According to current procedure, the victims would be sent back to their country of origin upon their release from the shelter homes. Lee said the announcement strongly reflects Malaysia's commitment and continuous progress towards the betterment of victim's protection in the country. He also said that Malaysia would also study the possibility for victims of trafficking to be allowed to work while under the Interim Protection Order. At present, victims of trafficking have temporary jobs at the shelter homes. Earlier, in his speech, Lee said the Bali Process member states should look into having a victim-centred approach to deal with the victims of trafficking, whereby their identification and support, including better protection for care and recovery, are given consideration. "These victims of trafficking in persons have been subjected to cruel treatment and exploitation at the hands of perpetrators. Women and children mostly are tricked into the sex trade while men are subjected to modern-day slavery," he said, adding that this was a blatant disregard for human rights. The two-day workshop, which has drawn 100 participants from 32 Bali Process member countries, will focus on the aspects of victims of trafficking particularly on the elements of protection, care and recovery. Bali Process is a regional grouping established in 2002 to deal with issues of irregular movement of people and other related areas of transnational crime, including trafficking in persons. -- BERNAMA