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Malaysia will pursue the forced labour initiative agenda and share the country’s good practices in addressing the issue in Washington DC, US.

Minister of Human Resources Datuk Seri M Saravanan said he will join Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to the US-Asean Special Summit from May 10 until May 13, 2022.

“During my visit, I will be pursuing the forced labour initiative agenda subsequent to my recent trip to Geneva and London to deposit the ratification of International Labour Organisation (ILO) Protocol 29 on Forced Labour and discussion with the United Kingdom on the same issue,” he said in a statement yesterday.

He is scheduled to meet with relevant departments in the United States namely the US Department of Labour and US Customs and Border Protection including a session with the Responsible Business Alliance.

“I will also share Malaysia’s good practices in addressing forced labour and explore opportunities for bilateral cooperation with the US Government as part of the effort to ensure Malaysian companies and products are free from forced labour practices in their supply chains,” he added.

Saravanan had a working visit to Geneva, Switzerland to deposit the ratification of the ILO Protocol and focus on Malaysia’s participation as a pathfinder country under the United Nations (UN) Alliance 8.7.

On Nov 26 last year, Saravanan said Malaysia has agreed to ratify Protocol 29 to reflect the government’s commitment to eradicate forced labour.

He had previously stated that both agendas will have a positive impact on Malaysia’s tier ranking in human rights platforms as well as the Trafficking in Persons Report.

Malaysia’s ranking in the report last year has dropped to the lowest Tier 3 as it stated the government did not meet the minimum standards to eliminate trafficking and is not making significant efforts for its eradication.

Source: https://themalaysianreserve.com/2022/05/08/malaysia-to-pursue-forced-labour-agenda-in-washington-dc/