Malaysian labor law cannot protect Malaysians working abroad, says deputy minister

KUALA LUMPUR: The protection of Malaysians working abroad is subject to and protected by labor and human rights laws, including human trafficking, in the respective country, Dewan Rakyat was told on Monday (Nov 18).

Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Mohamad Alamin said Malaysian labor laws or laws in this country do not apply abroad.

“The Madani government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Malaysian Diplomatic Mission, is always ready to provide appropriate consular assistance to Malaysians encountering problems or difficulties abroad.

“We also advise Malaysians to be in possession of valid travel documents such as passports and visas and not easily hand over these documents to any party,” he said during the Dewan Rakyat Special Chamber hearing.

He was responding to Wong Chen’s (PH-Subang) motion on measures to protect Malaysians who are victims of human trafficking abroad.

In his motion, Wong raised the issue of Malaysian Mala Vello, 57, who is alleged to be a victim of human trafficking in Nepal and whose passport has been confiscated since 2012 after he married a man who is a citizen.

Mala was then successfully returned to this country in August.

Mohamad said the responsibility to determine whether someone is a victim of human trafficking or not is subject to local authorities and the interpretation provided by the law in Nepal.

He said this means that authorities in Nepal will determine whether or not a case is a crime of human trafficking based on the provisions of existing laws applicable in Nepal and not on the basis of Malaysia’s Anti-Human Trafficking Act. human trafficking and anti-smuggling of migrants. (Atipsom).- Bernama