THE COUNCIL FOR ANTI-TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS AND ANTI-SMUGGLING OF MIGRANTS (MAPO),

MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (MOHA) AND MINISTRY OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND INDUSTRY

MEDIA RELEASE

JOINT MALAYSIA-US ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONICS (E&E) SECTOR BEST LABOUR PRACTICES WORKSHOP

                                                                                                                                                                           

The Council for Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (MAPO) through National Strategic Office to the Council (NSO MAPO) in collaboration with the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) and the Embassy of the United States of America (US Embassy) organised a half-day workshop involving Government, civil society, and industry leaders. The aim of the Joint Malaysia-US E&E Best Labour Practices Workshop is to enhance the level of awareness of Malaysian companies on best labour practices to adopt, including sharing of best practices among MNCs and local companies.

Following the release of Verit├® Inc.ÔÇÖs study in September 2014, there has been much attention on the issue of forced labour practices in the E&E sector. Subsequent to this report, MalaysiaÔÇÖs E&E industry has been placed in the ÔÇ£List of Goods Produced by Child Labour or Forced LabourÔÇØ under the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorisation Act of 2005 (TVPRA) on 1 December 2014.

It is important to note that MalaysiaÔÇÖs E&E sector inclusion in the TVPRA list does not mean sanction by the US Government. However, it inadvertently puts MalaysiaÔÇÖs E&E industry in a negative light. The Malaysian Government is very committed to addressing this issue. We also note that the issue of forced labour is a global one and not unique to any particular country including Malaysia.

The Government of Malaysia reiterates that it does not condone acts of forced labour and encourages businesses to see value in adhering to codes of conduct, such as those outlined by the self-regulatory body for the E&E industry, namely, the Electronics Industry Citizenship Coalition (EICC). The Malaysian Government's continuous commitment to deal with the issue, is reflected in the amendment to the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act (ATIPSOM) 2007 that was approved in the Lower House of Parliament yesterday (16 June 2015). This would enhance the membership of the Council to include other relevant Ministries such as MITI.

This joint workshop was attended by 80 participants from various Multinational Companies, local companies, and business ethics industry experts from the EICC. There was also strong representation from the various Government agencies. The Government sincerely believes that the strategic partnership between Malaysia and the United States is important to address this heinous crime as well as create better understanding of the issue. This workshop is also an excellent avenue for various parties, including MNCs and local companies, to come together and share best practices.

17 June 2015