The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has urged the government today to set up a high-level task force to conduct thorough and transparent investigations against the exploitation of migrant workers.

It also called on the government and all relevant agencies to work towards a complete revamp in the policies, processes, accountability and transparency of the recruitment and management of migrant workers as well as setting up a ministry to oversee and manage the affairs of all migrant workers in Malaysia.

“We implore and urge the government to seriously address this matter and execute the following actions — setting up a high-level task force to facilitate thorough and transparent investigations, identify shortcomings and most importantly action to be recommended against persons involved in this horrible and exploitative human trafficking processes,” it said in a statement.

“These people were duped and entered Malaysia on a valid immigration pass indicating the strong possibility of lax enforcement approvals and very likely corrupt practices within the relevant agencies,” the commission said, acknowledging practices of modern slavery and human trafficking in recruitment processes…

Suhakam’s statement was prompted by the arrest of 171 Bangladeshi men in Kota Tinggi, Johor on December 20 this year…