Malaysia moves up to Tier 2 of the US annual human trafficking report

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia rose to Level 2 in the United States (US) State Department’s annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report, one level higher than last year.

FMT reports, the last time Malaysia was in Level 2 of the TIP report was 2017, the highest position the country has ever achieved.

Level 2 is defined as not fully meeting US minimum standards in eliminating human trafficking, but there are significant efforts to comply.

Last year, Malaysia was raised to the TIP report’s Level 2 watch list, after being downgraded to Level 3 in 2021 and 2022. The downgrade brings the risk of the country’s exports potentially being blocked.

The TIP Report is an annual assessment that assesses global trafficking trends, focusing government efforts in prosecution, protection and prevention. It includes four categories namely Level 1, 2, 2 (observation list) and 3.

The increased level means that Malaysia is placed among countries such as Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, India, Japan, Italy, Kenya, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.

The 2024 report was inaugurated by the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken in Washington.

The plight of Bangladeshi workers, who are currently the largest foreign labor force in Malaysia, came into focus earlier this year.

Three international organizations voiced their concern over allegations that some of the workers were tricked into Malaysia on the promise of non-existent jobs.

The International Organization for Migration, the International Labor Organization and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime said they were ready to support efforts to meet the urgent needs of stranded foreign workers.

Meanwhile, migrant human rights activist Andy Hall was surprised by the increase in Malaysia’s position in the TIP report due to years of failure to involve Putrajaya in cases of alleged human trafficking and forced labour.

He said, Malaysia’s position should not be elevated due to its systemic inability to fight labor trafficking in a meaningful way, ensure the rehabilitation of victims and the accountability of perpetrators.