4th March 2024: URGENT call for donations/support: Joining forces with HOPE SELANGOR to fill gap in providing humanitarian aid and assistance to victims of criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi workers into forced labour in Malaysia
In response to a stark lack of official Bangladeshi and Malaysian government and international UN agency support and assistance to an estimated 100,000 or more vulnerable victims of an alleged criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi workers for forced labour in Malaysia, myself and my colleagues have recently joined forces with an inspirational organisation called HOPE SELANGOR, and their network of community volunteers, to deliver urgent humanitarian assistance directly to those impacted in Malaysia.
Months of my continuous communication (emails, WhatsApp messages, letters and media advocacy) to Malaysian government agencies and UN and international organisations like the IOM, ILO and IJM (with their civil society union and NGO partners in Malaysia on the ground) has seen almost zero productive or practical response.
Promised support for voluntary repatriations by UN agencies have failed to materialize.
Requests for urgent human trafficking and forced labour investigations, alongside humanitarian assistance to the victims of these alleged crimes, have not been responded to.
Not even one victim referred by me has actually been supported by UN agencies in Malaysia tasked and funded to protect and support migrant workers in times of need, as far as I can ascertain.
Not our duty, no funds, too dangerous, Malaysian government too sensitive, too busy, staff on leave, rotating out of country.
The excuses for lack of practical assistance to the Bangladeshi criminal syndicate victims by those international and local actors mandated and funded to support them are as numerous as they are varied.
But now, responding to exactly the same emails, the same WhatsApp messages, the same GPS locations, the same videos and photos of appalling conditions of human destitution outlined in this post, HOPE SELANGOR has moved as best as they can into action to fill the gap, and energetically so.
Aid delivered straight to the impacted foreign worker communities. Cooked food, rice cookers, fans, toiletries, rice and other dried food, medicines, and much more as well.
The HOPE SELANGOR team, in the heat and rain of Malaysia’s challenging physical and political climate, have been out delivering at least some hope to the victims of exploitation and injustice across the country, in the face of others inaction.
Please NOW join me in supporting HOPE SELANGOR in their crucial work to provide a lifeline to Bangaldeshi victims of a criminal syndicate trafficking them for forced labour into Malaysia, an estimated 100,000 or more victims already.
Help HOPE SELANGOR fill the gap in practical support left wide open by Malaysian authorities and international and domestic actors tasked to protect and support migrant communities in need in Malaysia.
DONATE to support HOPE Selangor’s urgent work now, a little or a lot. Anything is welcome.
DONATION Account Details:
Pertubuhan Pembangunan Harapan Selangor
Account number: 512222631461
Email: hopeselangor@gmail.com
Swift Code: MBBEMYKL
Bank Name: Maybank
Feel free to indicate #Bangladeshifoodaid when making financial transfers
For more background on the situation of the needy Bangladeshi recipients of any donations you will make to HOPE SELANGOR, see the below articles and news.
THANKYOU
Background articles
FMT 3rd Mar 2024: Ensure ‘crooks’ do not gain from repatriation programme, says activist
3rd March 2024: Concern on repatriation of potential trafficking and forced labour/abuse victims under Malaysian Migrant Worker Repatriation Programme Commencing 1st March 2024 (Statement by Andy Hall, Independent Migrant Worker Rights Specialist)
FMT 2nd March 2024: Bangladesh MP – New Act drafted to monitor sub-agents of foreign workers and undermine criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi workers for forced labour in Malaysia
RTV Online 1st Mar 2024: Expatriates die without getting work in Malaysia (google translate)
27th February 2024: SCMP – Malaysian firm probed for human trafficking after 93 Bangladeshi workers found abandoned
26th Feb 2024: Statement by Independent Migrant Worker Rights Specialist Andy Hall on Joint KDN, KSM and MAPO Operation to Rescue More Destitute and Stranded Victims of the Alleged Criminal Syndicate Trafficking Workers from Bangladesh for Forced Labour in Malaysia (includes updated stories on the ‘Cheras’ case)
26th February 2024: FMT – Stern action against company that duped Bangladeshi workers in Cheras
26th February 2024: Bernama – Home, HR ministries: Firm facing legal action for abandoning 93 Bangladeshi workers brought into Malaysia last year
25th February 2024: FMT – More than 100 Bangladeshi migrants stranded in Cheras without jobs, says activist Andy Hall
Business Standard 18th Feb 2024: Bangladeshis pay much higher than peers (US$4500++) to reach Malaysia job market – syndicates, impunity and systemic forced labour
Malay Mail 8th Feb 2024 – Activists: Duped Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia sought RM2m in unpaid wages, but only got half(first reported compensation settlement for Bangladesh Malaysia organised crime syndicate victims being trafficked for forced labour in Malaysia)
Malay Mail 8th Feb 2024: HR Ministry hails mediation outcome despite claims duped Bangladeshi workers were short-changed
8th February 2024: FMT – Bangladeshi workers win RM1mil in unpaid wages
7th Feb 2024: Bangla Tribune – Job trap in Malaysia, 733 Bangladeshis in salary uncertainty
6th February 2024: Benar News – Malaysian Labor Court orders employers to pay Bangladeshi workers RM1 million in unpaid wages – first reported compensation settlement for Bangladesh Malaysia organised crime syndicate victims being trafficked for forced labour in Malaysia
FMT 6th Jan 2024: 171 duped migrant workers deserve compensation, govt told (includes my full statement)
6th Jan 2024: FMT: Away from families, in debt, and jobless in a foreign land
6th Jan 2024: New Strait Times – Company that promised 171 Bangladeshi workers non-existent jobs blacklisted
5th Jan 2024: New Strait Times – MCA: Don’t just fine employers, hold ministry accountable as well for unemployed foreign workers
FMT 30th Dec 2023: Migrants being duped into Malaysia because of govt’s failure to curb criminal trafficking syndicates and organised crime network, says activist Andy Hall
30th Dec 2023: New Strait Times – Recruitment agencies accused of deception as Bangladeshi victims speak out on exploitation and fear
29th Dec 2023: Malay Mail – Set up probe on exploitation of migrant workers and new ministry to manage their affairs, Suhakam tells Putrajaya
28th Dec 2023: New Strait Times – ‘Company involved in 171 Bangladeshi migrant worker scandal not licensed to recruit’
28th Dec 2023: FMT – Malaysia has entered ‘slave labour’ territory, says ex-MP – Charles Santiago calls for specific set-ups to manage migrant workers
27th Dec 2023: New Strait Times – MTUC demand govt, MACC probe into corrupt recruitment practices of foreign workers
27th Dec 2023: New Strait Times – Strict action against employers, agencies neglecting 171 Bangladeshi workers: MEF
27th Dec 2023: FMT – Bangladeshis duped over jobs are victims of human trafficking, says rights group
26th Dec 2023: FMT – Azalina wants urgent probe into 171 Bangladeshis duped over jobs
26th Dec 2023: FMT – High recruitment fees make greedy agents bring in workers, says group
25th Dec 2023: FMT – Probe recruitment agents, MACC told after arrest of Bangladeshis
25th Dec 2023: FMT – Human resources ministry comes to the rescue of Bangladeshi workers
25th Dec 2023: FMT – Cops nab 171 foreigners protesting lack of jobs in Johor
25th Dec 2023: The Star – Foreigners march to police station to complain about agent, get hauled up by Immigration Dept instead
30th Oct 2023: FMT: Andy Hall refers stranded Bangladeshi workers’ plight in Malaysia to UN Human Rights Council
19th Oct 2023: Malaysia facing huge excess of 1/4 million migrant laborers
21st Sep 2023: Malaysian government has 15 source countries for foreign workers – Comments by Andy Hall
20th Sep 2023: Rate of abused Bangladeshi workers’ entry into Malaysia worrying, says migrant rights activist Andy Hall
