Call to set up RCI to probe labour trafficking in Malaysia

Former MTUC secretary in Sarawak, Andrew Lo, has expressed concern over the alleged multi-billion ringgit racket and labour trafficking issues in Malaysia.

Lo has called for a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to investigate the management of migrant workers in the country.

Referring to Malaysiakini's investigative report series on the country’s labour recruitment system exposing modern-day slavery rackets, Lo said that the authorities have seemingly turned a blind eye to the ongoing shenanigans.

The report revealed the seriousness of the issue where traffickers have resorted to cold-calling employers to sell workers to them.

The report also reveals the multiple rounds of perpetual commissions which traffickers take out of workers' hourly wages.

Recent government policy to allow foreign worker recruitment with relaxed conditions also led to a supply glut, claimed stakeholders.

Lo (above), who is also Sarawak Bank Employees Union chief executive officer, believes that a thorough investigation was necessary to address the issue effectively.

The RCI, according to Lo, would possess the authority to compel witnesses to testify under oath, allowing for a comprehensive examination of the extent of the problem.

"The RCI can subpoena witnesses to testify under oath. It would be better equipped to identify the practices and loopholes that have facilitated labour trafficking to persist in Malaysia," he told Malaysiakini.

By delving into the matter, the commission could provide valuable insights and recommendations for appropriate actions to be taken to rectify any malpractices uncovered during the investigation.

The call by Lo underscores the urgency of addressing labour trafficking and other related problems, highlighting the need for a comprehensive investigation.

Last month, the Independent Committee on the Management of Foreign Workers whose findings were submitted to the government in 2019 called for the government to make the report public.

Led by former Court of Appeal judge Mohd Hishamuddin Yunus, the committee said problems and issues identified in the report continue unabated, adding that the recruitment, employment, and repatriation of foreign workers should be fair, transparent, and ethical. - Mkini