Since 2018, with the first change of the federal government after 60 years of independence, Malaysia has seen notable policy shifts in labour policy. These include amendments of employment and social protection regulations, as well as the strengthening of national action plans in addressing trafficking in persons and forced labour. All of which aimed to further strengthen workers’ protection and access to justice and remedies. Despite these efforts, forced labour and trafficking in persons continue to emerge.

Research Question: Given the complex interplay between such policy shifts and workers’ vulnerability to labour trafficking, this study aims to understand how policies regarding migrant labour contribute to migrant workers’ vulnerability to labour trafficking

Research Methodology: In order to respond to this research question, we set out to conduct a systematic literature review, allowing us to examine and interpret the existing body of literature. Literature was identified through internet searches using two databases, namely, (i) Google Scholar, and (ii) Scopus. A number of key search terms were used in the search strategy, and hits were screened using a list of inclusion criteria. From the total of 3,225 relevant articles identified from both databases, this study included and reviewed only 21 of them.

Key Findings/Messages: Key findings are divided into three sub-sections, each responding to the following sub-research questions: (i) what makes migrant workers in Malaysia vulnerable to labour trafficking?; (ii) do current regulatory and policy reforms really address migrant workers’ vulnerability to labour trafficking?; and (iii) what hinders Malaysia’s efforts to reduce and/or eliminate migrant workers’vulnerability to labour trafficking?

Conclusion: The past years have seen positive commitments made by the Government of Malaysia to address forced labour, including regulatory reforms with the aim to strengthen workers’ protection in the country. However, stronger legislation does not always or necessarily result in increased protection of labour trafficking victims. Effective protection of victims is dependent on a range of other factors, including effective access
to legal representation, remedies, and the ability of frontline enforcement personnel to exercise their duty and to apply humanistic judgement when dealing with vulnerable victims. This study presents five points of key observations, six points of implications to policy discourse, and five points for future research.

MIGRANT WORKERS POLICY AND VULNERABILITY TO LABOUR TRAFFICKING IN MALAYSIA: LESSONS AND GAPS FROM EXISTING LITERATURE - USAID, 2022 DOWNLOAD

post

page

attachment

revision

nav_menu_item

custom_css

customize_changeset

oembed_cache

user_request

wp_block

wp_template

wp_template_part

wp_global_styles

wp_navigation

wp_font_family

wp_font_face

acf-taxonomy

acf-post-type

acf-field-group

acf-field

ai1ec_event

exactmetrics_note

Improving our Response to Modern Slavery & Exploitation: Supporting Chinese women
Publications

Anyone can be exploited, or become a victim of modern slavery, no matter their age, gender or nationality. This report focuses specifically on Chinese women, due to the experiences of Caritas Bakhita House, Rahab and Tamar. It is hoped that it can s...Read More

National Hotline 2017 Colorado State Report
Graphics & InfographicsPublications

The data in this report represents signals and cases from January 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017 and is accurate as of July 11, 2018. Cases of trafficking may be ongoing or new information may be revealed to the National Hotline over time. Conseq...Read More

Barking & Dagenham Hub Impact Report 2022
Publications

This report studied the impact of the Freewheel by Ride For Freedom programme on survivors of modern slavery in Barking & Dagenham, East London. The programme provides the survivors with a bicycle, accessories and cycling proficiency and road aw...Read More

TAGS:
Aggravating circumstances: How coronavirus impacts human trafficking
COVID-19 resourcesNews & AnalysisGuidanceGraphics & InfographicsPublications

Authors: Livia Wagner, Thi Hoang The policy brief was originally posted here on GI-TOC website, as part of its #CovidCrimeWatch initiative. The coronavirus is not only claiming hundreds of thousands of lives, but is also causing a global econo...Read More

TAGS: Global