“We will benefit from Coordinated efforts for a solution across FEALAC to solve Human Trafficking” – Malaysian Foreign Minister

By Tyler Tan, Timothy Tan, and Muruganandam Sathiyaselan

The FEALAC Meeting in 2019

KUALA LUMPUR, 16 June (Bernama) – As the Forum of East Asia–Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC) undergoes debate on the question of human trafficking, the Malaysian foreign minister stands as the liaison between the OAS and the ASEAN states. 

As FEALAC convenes, Malaysia has underscored the importance of multilateral solutions and cooperation across councils. “Countries need a solution across FEALAC, so that all member states can benefit from solutions”, the Malaysian foreign minister mentioned.

Malaysia has historically opposed Human Trafficking in all shapes and forms, focusing on “seeking a solution on the issue through, inter alia, concerted and coordinated efforts among the countries of origin, transit and destination”. A protector of Labour rights, Malaysia has already ratified 19 International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions and 1 protocol, actively advocating against human trafficking.

Additionally, Malaysia has passed existing legislation on the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 (ATIPSOM), safeguarding the rights of Malaysian citizens and preventing and combating trafficking in persons.

Despite the above actions being taken, human trafficking and forced labour still persists. Malaysian citizens, and the people of ASEAN as a whole, worry about the implications of human trafficking on their foreign workers, raising several concerns. 

For example, Ragunath Kesavan, the vice-chairman of Suhakam, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia, raised concerns over the protection of domestic helpers and emphasises the need to simplify rules and laws for migrants to claim against their employers.

As the current ASEAN chairperson, the Malaysian minister has spearheaded the development of several initiatives to address Malaysians’ and ASEAN residents’ concerns. 

Notable solutions discussed within the FEALAC ASEAN Regional Caucus include frameworks detailing the distribution of care packs and rehabilitation, and enabling capacity-building. These frameworks aim to alleviate the current humanitarian crisis, and enhance border protection respectively.

However, understanding the urgent need for short-term frameworks to alleviate the current human trafficking crisis, the ASEAN Regional Caucus has decided to focus on the Care Packs and Rehabilitation framework introduced by Singapore and Malaysia. 

The framework aims to provide necessary logistics for the countries receiving human trafficking victims by setting up temporary shelters, basic necessities and care packages.

This works in tandem with the long-term Capacity Building Framework (CBP), where it aims to empower all ASEAN members with support to secure borders and equitable development, in the form of financial, technical and institutional support. 

The Malaysian foreign minister mentioned numerous merits of the solutions, not limited to “civilians being ready to receive longer term solutions” and “providing civilian confidence in the government”. 

The collation of the short and long term solutions allow for a multilateral and relatively cost-effective approach to the solution of human trafficking, solving the problem and preparing ASEAN for the long term, reaffirming its firm commitment as ASEAN’s chairperson. 

However, it is important to note that although these frameworks are effective in addressing the grievances of human trafficking victims, it does not address the root causes of human trafficking itself. 

Acknowledging this fact, the Malaysian minister did introduce another possible long-term solution - job matching.

Job matching aims to provide a service by certain companies, where a worker is linked up with an employer that requires the expertise of that particular worker, decreasing the need for such illicit manpower trade and human trafficking. 

The Malaysian Foreign Minister also highlighted the need to “make legal job matching more appealing”. He however noted that job matching was a long-term solution to be implemented after resolving the current, more urgent crisis. 

Overall, due to several inter-regional collaborations, much progress has been made in resolving such human trafficking issues. 

However, with cases of seafood processing and garment manufacturing workers from FEALAC nations like Peru and Vietnam having worked without earning the minimum wage, guaranteed rest days, or sick leave, FEALAC must look to implement long-term, concrete, and punitive frameworks that ensure legal action against companies who deny the above to their employees.

Additionally, given that the issue of fair and legal protection of trans-regional workers persists, Ministers are encouraged to pursue more permanent and substantive solutions to address the risk of foreign workers being pulled into the world of human trafficking. 

Malaysian cooperation with ASEAN nations was crucial to alleviating the human trafficking crisis, and further regional cooperation is encouraged within the FEALAC to resolve other pressing matters at hand. 

-- BERNAMA