FMT 1st Dec 2023: HR Minister Sivakumar refutes British slavery activist’s claim on ‘significant illicit industry’ of modern slavery in Malaysia
FMT 1st Dec 2023: HR Minister Sivakumar refutes British slavery activist’s claim on ‘significant illicit industry’ of modern slavery in Malaysia Original source: https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2023/11/30/sivakumar-refutes-activists-claim-on-significant-illicit-industry-of-modern-slavery/ Human resources minister says he is not denying a problem of forced labour, just the alleged scale. Naveen Prabu – 30 Nov 2023, 10:49pm Human resources minister V Sivakumar said the problem of
FMT 1st Dec 2023: Kidnapped Bangladeshi journalist recounts ‘ordeal’ in Malaysia trying to expose Bangladesh Malaysia migrant worker syndicate
FMT 1st Dec 2023: Kidnapped Bangladeshi journalist recounts ‘ordeal’ in Malaysia trying to expose Bangladesh Malaysia migrant worker syndicate Original source: https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2023/12/01/kidnapped-bangladeshi-journalist-recounts-ordeal/ The investigative reporter says he was trying to expose a foreign workers’ syndicate operated by his countrymen in Malaysia. Predeep Nambiar – 01 Dec 2023, 11:41am Kuala Lumpur police chief Allaudeen Abdul Majid said they
26th November 2023: Malaysian human rights commissioner wants task force to probe migrant worker quota fraud
26th November 2023: Malaysian human rights commissioner (Suhakam) wants task force to probe migrant worker quota fraud In the face of a migrant trafficking crisis with implications of official complicity, Malaysian human rights commissioner Suhakam has urged the government to set up a high-level task force to investigate the scandal. Original Source: malaysiakini by S
24th November 2023: AG’s report: HR, Home ministries must decide who takes full ownership of Malaysia’s foreign worker management system – Comments by Andy Hall
AG’s report: HR, Home ministries must decide who takes full ownership of Malaysia’s foreign worker management system Comments by Andy Hall – International Migrant Worker Rights Specialist This recent report, just published by the Attorney General’s office in Malaysia and reported by Bernama, seems to sum up well that Malaysia’s foreign worker management system is
22nd November 2023: Full probe of migrant worker syndicate, Malaysian HR Minister Sivakumar
22nd Nov 2023: Full probe of migrant worker syndicate, Malaysian HR Minister Sivakumar says (these are NOT isolated cases, it’s a systemic issue worsening in Malaysia these days) The Human Resources Ministry in Malaysia will carry out a full investigation of a migrant worker syndicate involving six companies. Original Source: Malaysiakini by Isabelle Long –
21st November 2023: How migrant quota fraudster in Malaysia hides behind shell companies big wigs leaving workers victims of modern slavery
21st November 2023: How migrant quota fraudster in Malaysia hides behind shell companies big wigs leaving workers victims of modern slavery Trapped behind a fence that confined him to his hostel, Nepali worker Nabaraj, 26, was in a panic that had consumed him since the moment he was told he was leaving Malaysia for good,
20th November 2023: Migrant worker import quota in Malaysia won via fake contracts, then traded for millions
20th November 2023: Migrant worker import quota in Malaysia won via fake contracts, then traded for millions Migrant worker import quota in Malaysia has won vis fake contracts which were traded for millions. Some companies who have made fake contracts for labor importers in Malaysia have sold the quotas received for crores and have left
AP 14th Nov 2023: Finance may be junked from EU sustainability/due diligence law, leaked memo shows (very concerning development in the EU sustainability and due diligence debate)
Finance may be junked from EU climate law, leaked memo shows – Critics say it could be unenforceable LONDON (AP) — Finance may be junked from EU climate law – A flagship EU law intended to push European companies toward net zero faces being seriously weakened by member states, a confidential document passed to The
10th Nov 2023: FMT – 3 agencies suspended, RM 72 million reimbursed to ‘cheated’ workers, says GLC FGV
10th Nov 2023: FMT – 3 agencies suspended, RM 72million reimbursed to ‘cheated’ workers, says GLC FGV FGV Holdings has introduced an enhanced mechanism to track errant agents and reimburse any workers who have paid recruitment fees, says GLC FGV. Andy Hall had accused FGV Holdings Bhd of engaging a few recruitment agencies not on
9th Nov 2023: Malaysia – The State of the Nation: Flaws of foreign worker system laid bare in declassified report
9th Nov 2023: Malaysia The State of the Nation: Flaws of foreign worker system laid bare in declassified report The independent investigation commissioned by the Pakatan Harapan government in 2018 revealed systemic corruption, rent-seeking activities as well as abuse and mistreatment of foreign workers in Malaysia. Original Article: The Edge Malaysia by Izzul Ikram and
6th Nov 2023: UK government complicit in exploitation of farm workers – Bureau of Investigative Journalism
6th Nov 2023: UK government complicit in exploitation of farm workers – Bureau of Investigative Journalism Government labor inspection reports revealed the exploitation of farm workers, and nearly half of the 845 seasonal workers interviewed claimed mistreatment, discrimination, wage theft, and threats of being sent back home. Original Source: Info Migrants by Ana P. Santos
6th Nov 2023: Dyson successful forum non conveniens challenge in Malaysian outsourcing claim. A sad illustration of the bar to #bizhumanrights claims in England and Wales post-Brexit.
Dyson successful forum non conveniens challenge in Malaysian outsourcing claim. A sad illustration of the bar to #bizhumanrights claims in England and Wales post-Brexit. In Limbu & Ors v Dyson Technology Ltd & Ors [2023] EWHC 2592 (KB) a jurisdictional challenge on forum non conveniens grounds in allegations of forced labour at Dyson’s Malaysian Supplier, was successful. The judgment
5th Nov 2023: Information on Migrant Worker Responsible Recruitment Schemes and Certification Programmes – Where are We At Nowadays? Any Progress?
Information on Migrant Worker Responsible Recruitment Schemes/Certification Programmes – Where Are We At Nowadays? Any Progress? This blog post provides readers with some basic and useful background information on migrant worker related responsible recruitment schemes and certification programmes in existence internationally at this time. The article is intended to recap on where we are nowadays
5th Nov 2023: Malaysian HR Minister pledges nationwide operations concerning the plight of Bangladeshi migrant workers in Malaysia following Andy Hall’s complaint letter to the OHCHR
5th Nov 2023: Malaysian HR Minister pledges nationwide operations concerning the plight of Bangladeshi migrant workers in Malaysia following Andy Hall’s complaint letter to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Malaysian HR Minister pledges nationwide operations concerning the plight of Bangladeshi migrant workers in Malaysia. This comes after migrant
5th Nov 2023: Diplomat: Debt Bondage in Space, and Taiwan by Peter Bengsten
5th Nov 2023: Diplomat: Debt Bondage in Space, and Taiwan by Peter Bengsten (more fantastic writing on forced labour by an accomplished investor and journalist) Sky-high recruitment fees and debt bondage for migrant workers lurk behind the Taiwanese firms supplying multinational satellite, electronic, and car companies. Original Article: The Diplomat by Peter Bengsten – 31st
31st Oct 2023: The Daily Star – Andy Hall writes to the UN on Bangladeshi migrants’ dire situation in Malaysia
Migrant Rights Specialist Andy Hall, writes to the UN on Bangladeshi migrants’ dire situation in Malaysia A migrant rights worker, Andy Hall, in Malaysia, has written to the UN about the “dire” situation of hundreds of Bangladeshi migrants expatriate workers allegedly struggling in debt bondage and are jobless in the Southeast Asian country. Original Source:
30th Oct 2023: FMT: Andy Hall refers stranded Bangladeshi workers’ plight in Malaysia to UN Human Rights Council
Activist refers stranded Bangladeshi workers’ plight in Malaysia to UN rights body (Andy Hall’s recent complaint to UN Human Rights Council) Andy Hall has written to the UN Human Rights Council with details of the current situation in Malaysia, which he describes as ‘dire’. Original source: Free Malaysia Today by K. Parkaran – 30th October
26th Oct 2023: Myanmar’s military reaches into migrant workers pockets with forced remittance and taxation programmes
Myanmar’s military reaches into migrant workers’ pockets with forced remittance and taxation programs yanmar’s military forces remittance and taxation programs on migrant workers. Tougher times await Myanmar migrant workers in Southeast Asia. Two recent orders issued by Myanmar’s junta State Administration Council (SAC) in September will result in higher costs of moving, living, and working
26th Oct 2023: Watchdog criticizes Home Office for dropping farm worker visa review
Government confirms it will NOT publish a review into farm worker visa review despite calls from stakeholders (responses and additional materials) Watchdog criticizes Home Office for dropping farm worker visa review. The UK government confirms it will not publish a promised review despite calls from non-profits, academics and its own independent inspector. Original source: The
26th Oct 2023: Malaysian PM Office’s Minister Azalina says govt to complete national action plan for business and human rights by 2024 amid global spotlight on systemic migrant forced labour in the country
Malaysian PM Office’s Minister Azalina says govt to complete national action plan for business and human rights by 2024 amid the global spotlight on systemic migrant forced labour in the country Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman delivers a speech at the Unveiling Insights and Actions: Malaysia’s
25th Oct 2023: DEFRA Former Secretary – Seasonal Worker Scheme should be taken away from Home Office to prevent continued abuses
George Eustice: Seasonal Worker Scheme Should be Taken Away From Home Office The former DEFRA secretary told The Grocer the Seasonal Worker Scheme would be better if ‘full responsibility for managing it was transferred away from the Home Office’ Original Source: The Grocer by Grace Duncan – 25th October 2023. George Eustice has called for
23rd Oct 2023: Response from the Ministry of Human Resources regarding an article by Mr. Andy Hall
Human resources minister: Strict actions against employers who fail to comply with Malaysia’s labour immigration laws regarding an article by Andy Hall Full Statement: Response from the Ministry of Human Resources in regards to an article by Mr. Andy Hall, International Migrant Workers Rights Specialist Original source: malaymail – 22nd October 2023. See also: The
23rd Oct 2023 Independent: Secret report on UK modern slavery – Foreign workers on British farms allegedly starved, abused, denied medical care, and financially exploited
Exposed: Secret report on UK modern slavery the Home Office didn’t want you to see (full press release and TBIJ investigation copied below) UK Modern Slavery: Foreign workers on British farms were allegedly starved, abused, denied medical care, and financially exploited – so why did the Home Office try to cover up damning evidence from
22nd Oct 2023 New York Times – Nepal, A Small Country Far from Ukraine is Sending Hundreds to War, on Both Sides
Nepal, A Small Country Far From Ukraine, Is Sending Hundreds to War on Both Sides Scores of young men from Nepal have gone to fight, some lured by Russia’s promise of work, others to fight for Ukraine, raising the prospect of Nepalis fighting one another in a distant war. Several months ago, Sandip Thapaliya, an
20th Oct 2023: Ian Urbina – Global Reverberations from the Investigation
Global Reverberations from the Investigation: There has been a broad impact in the two weeks since the investigation was published. See More: The Outlaw Ocean Project. Summary of Original Investigation: 17th Oct 2023: Crimes Behind Global Seafood Supply Chains – Ian Urbina’s Forced Labour Investigations Into Chinese Seafood Supply Chains. Global Reverberations from the Investigation:
20th Oct 2023: Migrant workers toil in perilous heat to prepare for COP28 climate talks in UAE
20th Oct 2023: The Guardian – Migrant workers toil in perilous heat to prepare for COP28 climate talks in UAE The report highlights evidence of workers from Africa and Asia laboring in 42-degree celsius heat in Dubai to build conference facilities for COP28 climate summit. Original source: The Guardian by Nina Lakhani – 20th October
20th Oct 2023 Malaysiakini: Long-awaited foreign worker management report declassified in Malaysia
Comment from Andy Hall, independent migrant worker rights specialist, on the key recommendation of the independent committee. A long-awaited foreign worker management report that is declassified has been released. Obviously, many things need fixing when it comes to the issue of migrant workers in Malaysia. What more should the government do, and how does that
20th Oct 2023: UK High Court Rejects Alleged Forced Labour Claims by Migrant Workers Against Dyson – Comments by Andy Hall
UK High Court Rejects Alleged Forced Labour Claims by Migrant Workers Against Dyson – Comments by Andy Hall Statement Attributable to Andy Hall, International Migrant Worker Rights Specialist, on the London High Court’s decision to reject jurisdiction in migrant worker’s forced labor-related claims against Dyson regarding alleged appalling work and living conditions at ATA IMS
19th Oct 2023: Malaysia facing huge excess of 1/4 million migrant laborers
Malaysia facing huge excess of 1/4 million migrant laborers – Systemic forced labour through debt-bondage is the result of this corruption and impunity (my comments added) Malaysia is facing an excess of a 1/4 million migrant laborers. Malaysia’s systemic and official corruption and impunity and total lack of rule of law has for the most
17th Oct 2023: Canada blasted by UN for continuing to allow ‘contemporary forms of slavery’ in seasonal worker scheme
Canada blasted by UN for continuing to allow ‘contemporary forms of slavery’ in seasonal worker scheme Canada has been blasted by the United Nations for allowing ‘contemporary forms of slavery’ in the seasonal worker scheme. There has been a lot written recently on the systemic forced labour in Canada’s seasonal workers scheme, where we see
17th Oct 2023: Crimes Behind Global Seafood Supply Chains – Ian Urbina’s Forced Labour Investigations Into Chinese Seafood Supply Chains
The last week has seen the high-profile release of Ian Urbina’s forced labour investigation linking global seafood retailers and supermarkets to Chinese seafood supply chains. See below the original articles and some related response articles. The Crimes Behind the Seafood You Eat Original Article: The New Yorker by Ian Urbina – 9th October 2023. DANIEL
17th Oct 2023: Towards an EU Ban on Forced Labor – EU Parliament agrees position to move negotiations forward
Towards an EU ban on products made with #forcedlabor On Monday, 16th October 2023, the Internal Market and International Trade Committees adopted their position on keeping products made using forced labor out of the EU market. Towards an EU ban on products made with forced labor Original Article: Press Release On Monday, the Internal Market
13th Oct 2023: Thai deaths in Hamas massacre spotlight poor agricultural migrant workers from Asia who toil in Israel’s fields
Like his father Chumporn and dozens of other able-bodied men from their village in northeast Thailand, Manee Jirachart moved to Israel in search of work, dreaming of a better life.
Jobs were hard to come by within the his rural community so when Manee found a cleaning position at a government office in southern Israel near the Gaza it seemed like a real opportunity.
12th Oct 2023: ‘We lie on the floor till someone buys us’: shocking allegations of UAE agencies’ abuse of domestic workers
‘We lie on the floor till someone buys us’: shocking allegations of UAE agencies’ abuse of domestic workers Women interviewed by the Guardian report UAE agencies denying them food and passports, holding them captive, and ‘selling’ them on social media. Original Article: The Guardian by Katie McQue – 12th October 2023. Women seeking jobs as
10th Oct 2023: McDonald’s and Amazon’s ties to alleged labor trafficking: Five key takeaways
McDonald’s and Amazon have been tied to alleged labor trafficking. Foreign workers at the Middle East locations of US and UK brands allege low pay, harsh conditions, and a legal limbo with few protections. Today the Guardian has published an investigation into labor conditions at the Persian Gulf locations of major US and UK brands, including Amazon, McDonald’s and the InterContinental Hotels Group.
9th Oct 2023: Nepal’s migrant workers suffering ‘alarming’ rate of fertility problems
Nepal’s migrant workers suffering ‘alarming’ rate of fertility problems Doctors say high stress, heat and harsh living conditions may cause low sperm counts in Nepal’s migrant workers returning from the Gulf. Original article: The Guardian by Pete Pattisson and Ishwar Rauniyar in Kathmandu – 9th October 2023. In a cluster of metal benches outside the infertility