MEDIA STATEMENT 

CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL FOR ANTI-TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS 

AND ANTI-SMUGGLING OF MIGRANT (MAPO)

Cum

SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

DATUK SERI  MOHAMAD KHALID  SHARIFF 

PERMISSION TO WORK FOR LABOUR TRAFFICKING VICTIMS 

5 MARCH 2014  AT PUTRAJAYA

 

As The Chairman of the MAPO Council, I have issued the following statement: 

1.        In our continuous efforts to further improve the level of protection accorded to victims of trafficking in persons in the country, the Council for Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrant (MAPO) is pleased to announce its latest policy on allowing labour trafficking victims to work. 

2.        This policy is only applicable to labour trafficking victims (men and women) that do not require further care and protection.

3.        The existing practice under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrant Act (ATIPSOM) 2007 requires victims of trafficking in persons to be placed in Shelter Homes once granted with Protection Orders (PO).

4.        Previously, labour trafficking victims are only allowed to work upon completion of their PO. 

5.     The policy announcement was made on 12 January 2012 in which 37 former victims of labour trafficking (32 Bangladesh nationals and 5 Indian nationals) participated in the programme. 

6.        The latest policy will mainly involve salary / wages dispute cases namely non-payment of salary and with condition that there is no physical injuries to the victims.

7.        Additionally, the victims are required to fulfil  the following conditions set by MAPO: 

i)          Entry into Malaysia with a valid travel document;

ii)        In possession of a valid contract of employment and Temporary Employment Work Passes;

iii)       Offer of a new employment;

iv)       Agreement / willingness of the victims to work; 

v)        Approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs 

vi)       Approval from the Diplomatic Mission; and

vii)      Prospective employers to allow victims to be present in Court for recording of statements or as witnesses.

8.       The labour trafficking victims for this pioneer programme will be issued with Special Immigration Passes on a monthly basis. 

9.      They will be issued with Temporary Employment Work Passes once they secured new employments.

10.     However, the victims will be sent back to their countries of origin if they are unable to secure new employment within the stipulated period.

11.     This initiative  is consistent with the recommendations of the United States Trafficking in Persons Report (US TIP Report) 2013 that victims of trafficking in persons should be allowed to stay outside the designated Shelter Homes as well as to take up employment.

12. ┬á As the Chairman of MAPO, I strongly hope that the implementation of the new initiative will contribute to improve MalaysiaÔÇÖs Tier ranking for the US TIP Report that is expected to be released in June 2014.