CHAPTER 5 - REPORT OF THE INTERNATIONAL ISSUES AND COOPERATION COMMITTEE
The recommendations included:
(i)
Reviewing laws and policies that are inconsistent with UN and International Labour Organisation
conventions to which Malaysia is a party;
(ii)
Amending labour laws to cover ‘domestic work’;
(iii) Agreeing to the request from the Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants to
officially visit Malaysia;
(iv) Launching a public campaign against the holding of migrant workers’ passports by
employers;
(v)
Scrapping the system of labour outsourcing and replacing it with a system to be operated by
the Ministry of Human Resources;
(vi) Ensuring that conditions in places of detention are in compliance with internationally recognised
human rights standards;
(vii) Assigning medical staff to be permanently based at Immigration Detention Centres;
(viii) Collaborating closely with governments of sending countries in solving migrant workers’
problems;
(ix) Developing a comprehensive legal and policy framework to regulate the recruitment, admission,
placement, treatment and repatriation of migrant workers; and
(x)
Developing measures to identify trafficking in persons among migrant workers.
The agencies, which recognised SEANF’s effort in developing the Paper, agreed to submit a
consolidated report that provides comprehensive responses to the Commission with regard to the
recommendations.
The Commission, through the SEANF network, continued its engagement with regional stakeholders
to promote human rights. From 25-26 March, SEANF participated in a Strategy Meeting on the
Establishment of an Independent NHRI in Cambodia, organised by the Cambodian Working Group
for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism. At the meeting in Siem Reap, SEANF members shared their
experiences and expertise on the establishment of a NHRI.
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