THE Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) today called on the government to set up “a high-level task force” to investigate human trafficking into the country.

The call came following the detention of 171 Bangladesh workers, who claimed they were exploited and trafficked into the country with the false promise of jobs despite having paid huge recruitment fees.

Prior to their arrest, it was reported they were marching to the Bayu Damai police station in Johor to lodge reports over being cheated by agents promising jobs.

“Their desperation must have driven them to lodge reports despite being aware of the risk of arrest, detention and deportation,” the commission said in a statement.

It said the main aim of the task force would be to facilitate thorough and transparent investigations, identify shortcomings, and recommend action against people involved in human trafficking.

“Suhakam is of the view these victims were in such a dire situation, and reaching out to the police must have been a last resort attempt to return to their country of origin despite huge personal suffering and massive financial losses.

“These people were duped and entered Malaysia on a valid immigration pass indicating the strong possibility of lax enforcement approvals and very likely corrupt practices within the relevant agencies,” it said.

Apart from the task force, Suhakam called on the government to expedite the implementation of recommendations listed in the “Report of the Independent Committee on the Management of Foreign Workers”, which includes issues of unethical, unhealthy and unfair practices in the recruitment of foreign workers.

“Foreign worker monitoring systems should be amplified to ensure fair and safe working conditions for migrant workers, along with cooperation with countries of origin to create safe migration routes,” it said.

Calling on agencies to address long-standing foreign worker management issues in Malaysia, Suhakam said the country must pursue a complete overhaul of policies, processes, accountability and transparency in the recruitment and management of migrant workers and set up a ministry to manage migrant workers’ affairs.

Suhakam said it has issued numerous statements on modern slavery and human trafficking in the guise of “legalised” recruitment processes that were manifestly inhumane, abusive and exploitative to migrants.

“Suhakam’s position on migrant workers issues has always been rooted in the principles of justice, including in educating the public and industries on accountability in business practices and respect for human rights.

“We implore and urge the government to seriously address this matter.” – December 29, 2023.