24th June 2024: FMT – Malaysia upgraded to Tier 2 in US human trafficking report (with my immediate comments, critique and response)
Malaysia was last in Tier 2 of the US state department’s annual Trafficking in Persons report in 2017.
Original Source: FMT by FMT Reporters – 24th June 2024
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia has been upgraded to Tier 2 in the US state department’s annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report, a step higher than last year.
Malaysia was last in Tier 2 of the TIP report in 2017, which remains the highest position it has achieved.
Countries in this tier are defined as not fully meeting the department’s minimum standards to eliminate human trafficking but making significant efforts to come into 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.
My immediate response, attributable to Andy Hall, independent migrant worker rights specialist, 24th June
Based on years of unsuccessful engagement with the Malaysian government on cases of alleged human trafficking and forced labour, surely like many other civil society actors in the region, I strongly disagree with today’s Tier 2 upgrade from Tier 2 Watch List for Malaysia in the 2024 U.S. Department of State’s TIP (trafficking in persons) Report. I have long concluded that a failed migrant work management and recruitment system continues to exist in Malaysia that promotes impunity, is devoid of the rule of law and is systemically corrupt. There is little to no accountability for this dire situation, and no remediation at all of its victims. Malaysia’s systemic inability to meaningfully combat labour trafficking, ensure remediation of victims and accountability of perpetrators indeed warranted its immediate downgrade today to Tier 3 in the 2024 U.S. Department of State TIP Report. Today’s upgrade for Malaysia is disappointing and raises genuine concern about the legitimacy and accuracy of the U.S. governments country based human trafficking assessments, and the politics involved in the U.S. governments ranking decisions.
The TIP Report is an annual assessment that evaluates global trafficking trends, focusing on government efforts in prosecution, protection and prevention. The four categories are Tiers 1, 2, 2 (watchlist) and 3.
The upgrade means Malaysia is placed among countries like Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, India, Japan, Italy, Kenya, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.
See also: Benar News 24th June 2024: Malaysia advances in US State Dept’s world rankings for anti-human trafficking efforts
The 2024 report was launched by US secretary of state Antony Blinken in Washington.
The plight of Bangladeshi workers, who now account for the lion’s share of migrant labour in Malaysia, had taken centre stage earlier this year.
Three international organisations had expressed concern over allegations that some of these workers were duped into coming to Malaysia on promises of non-existent jobs.
The International Organization for Migration, International Labour Organization and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime said they were ready to support efforts to meet the immediate needs of those stranded.
Meanwhile, in an immediate response, migrant rights activist Andy Hall expressed surprise at the upgrade in the TIP report, citing years of unsuccessfully engaging Putrajaya on cases of alleged human trafficking and forced labour.
“Malaysia’s systemic inability to meaningfully combat labour trafficking, ensure remediation of victims and accountability of perpetrators does not deserve an upgrade,” he said.
Additional Reading:
9th June 2024 Daily Star – Labour Recruitment from Bangladesh to Malaysia: Syndicate wins, migrants suffer, country loses
Dhaka Tribune 11th June 2024: Deadline extended for Malaysia migration hurdle complaints
Business Standard 11th June: Unrest within Baira over Malaysian labour market, ruckus in AGM as committee members assaulted
Observer 9th June 2024: Around 2,900 complaints lodged by deprived Malaysia-bound migrants
Malaysianist 6th June 2024: The fat cat ruling the Malaysian migrant services roost (allegations of systemic corruption involving Malaysia’s migrant worker management systems – click to subscribe)
