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Home ministry open to working with NGOs against human trafficking

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It says Malaysia’s upgrade in the US state department’s annual Trafficking in Persons report reflects the contributions of stakeholders to combating human trafficking in the country.

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Free Malaysia Today
The home ministry said it is committed to combating human trafficking and addressing recent cases of job fraud and exploited workers.

PETALING JAYA:
The home ministry says it is open to working with NGOs and other stakeholders to eradicate human trafficking in Malaysia.

On the country’s “significant” upgrade to Tier 2 in the US state department’s annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report released yesterday, the ministry said the achievement reflects the substantial contributions of various stakeholders to combating human trafficking in Malaysia.

It said that while the Council for Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (Mapo) is committed to combating human trafficking and addressing recent cases of job fraud and exploited workers, ending human trafficking requires close cooperation among numerous stakeholders.

“Therefore, the home ministry and Mapo are open to partnering with NGOs, civil society organisations, international organisations, foreign diplomatic representatives, academics, and employers to comprehensively address this issue nationwide,” it said.

“It is hoped that this commitment will allow stakeholders to produce initiatives to combat human trafficking in Malaysia.”

The ministry said Malaysia’s significant accomplishments in this year’s TIP report include increased investigations, prosecution of public officials, enhanced prosecution of labour trafficking cases, convictions with significant penalties, awareness programmes and funding for shelters.

It said the report also outlines 16 areas for improvement and action plans that Malaysia can implement during the next assessment period from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025.

The ministry said it plans to focus on three key areas: enhancing inter-agency cooperation, redoubling efforts to identify and protect victims, and improving the human trafficking prosecution process.

The TIP report is an annual assessment that evaluates global trafficking trends and focusses on government efforts in prosecution, protection and prevention.

The four categories are Tiers 1, 2, 2 (watchlist) and 3. Malaysia was last in Tier 2 of the TIP report in 2017.

Countries in Tier 2 – Malaysia’s highest position to date – are defined as not fully meeting the department’s minimum standards to eliminate human trafficking but making significant efforts at compliance.

Last year, Malaysia was upgraded to Tier 2 (watchlist) of the TIP report after being downgraded to Tier 3 in 2021 and 2022. The downgrade had put the country at risk of potential export sanctions.

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