People who have been victims of exploitation for the purposes of labor will be allowed to work in Malaysia under new laws which will help labor migration.

Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said that it was important to help these people find meaningful employment, but said that there would also be strict conditions placed upon them.

Victims will have to be currently residing in Malaysia legally, will have to have given consent, there will have to be approval from their diplomatic mission, and they will need to show that there is no guarantee of their safety if they should return home.

Deputy minister Datuk Lee Chee Leong, speaking at a press conference, said: "These are those who enter the country through the proper channel and it does not apply to those smuggled in person or foreigners entering with student visas or social visas."

Last month, Malaysia was one of a number of countries highlighted as having increased employment through relaxing foreign direct investment rules.