COMMENT In recognition of the International Migrants Day tomorrow, the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) will launch the ‘Practical Guidelines for Employers on the Recruitment, Placement, Employment and Repatriation of Foreign Workers in Malaysia’.

These Practical Guidelines were developed by MEF with ILO support to strengthen the role of employers in protecting migrant workers and to promote a healthy and productive industrial relations environment.

The Practical Guidelines review employer policy compliance with complex labour and immigration laws, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act 2007, and address common rights violations.

These guidelines will contribute to improved productivity and profitability in minimising runaways, preventing labour disputes and promoting harmonious industrial relations. The formulation of the guidelines, involved collaboration between the MEF and key informants from government departments and trade union officials.

A survey was also conducted, which identified issues and challenges faced by employers in the management of foreign labour as well as current best practices.

The Practical Guidelines come at a pertinent time, with ongoing national, regional and international dialogue on effectively managing labour migration.

Next year, the 8th Asean Forum on Migrant Labour (AFML) will be hosted by Malaysia. AFML brings together key stakeholders to share experiences and build consensus on the protection of migrant workers issues committed under the Asean Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migration Workers (Cebu Declaration, 2007).

From the tripartite cooperation, adoption of the recommendations is implemented through the commitments of the stakeholders.

Legislation should be consistent, sustainable

MEF’s leadership in creating Practical Guidelines for employers sends a clear statement that policies, procedures and legislation relating to migrant workers should be comprehensive, consistent, and sustainable.

According to the survey conducted, around 50 percent of MEF respondents already have policies on the management of migrant workers.

The National Project Coordinator for the GMS Triangle project, Anni Santhiago, noted that “the creation of these guidelines demonstrates the commitment of the MEF in working towards solutions for migrant workers that create decent work and fair labour practices in respecting them as contributive workers of Malaysia’s economy”.

MEF previously worked with ILO and other key stakeholders in creating a public service announcement supporting the Migration Works campaign that presents migrant workers in a respectful, positive light while acknowledging their contributions in Malaysia’s workforce.

Encouragingly, the survey found 66 percent of respondents reported no difference between terms of employment and benefits between local and foreign workers. Ensuring policies identify all workers’ rights equally promotes an environment to implement the rights similarly.

The launch of the Practical Guidelines will be held from 10am to 12pm at Eastin Hotel in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, with representatives from the Ministry of Human Resources and Malaysian Trades Union of Congress in attendance.

The introduction and launch is supported by the ILO’s GMS Triangle project.

The Tripartite Action to Protect the Rights of Migrant Workers within and from the Greater Mekong Subregion from Labour Exploitation (the GMS Triangle project) is a five-year project that aims to strengthen the formulation and implementation of recruitment and labour protection policies and practices.


The INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANISATION is a specialised United Nations agency that seeks the promotion of social justice and internationally recognised human and labour rights.