PETALING JAYA: Social protection for workers in the plantation sector and rubber glove manufacturing will be enhanced in Malaysia’s efforts to deal with forced labour, says the Human Resources Ministry.
Another measure is to strengthen international cooperation with the United States by establishing a joint working committee.
“This initiative will help improve the country’s image while also ensuring that local products are not subject to sanctions (Withhold Release Order) by the United States’ Customs and Border Protection Department due to forced labour issues,” said Human Resources Minister V. Sivakumar.
He said this in a statement that was issued in response to Malaysia being back on the Tier 2 Watch List category of the US State Department’s annual Trafficking in Persons Report 2023.
The Tier 2 Watch List refers to countries whose governments have not fully adhered to the minimum standards but are making significant efforts to comply with these standards.
Malaysia was in Tier 3 – the lowest tier – in the previous two years, which refers to governments that do not fully comply with the minimum standards.
Countries placed in Tier 3 can be penalised with sanctions and limited access to the United States.
Sivakumar said in his statement yesterday that other measures to fight human trafficking included strengthening the role of the Labour Department by increasing inspections to ensure more prosecutions against errant employers.
Malaysia, he said, would take action against employers who commit forced labour offences.
He added that the Employment Act had been amended to include Section 90B, which outlined penalties for employers for offences related to forced labour.
This amendment came into effect on Jan 1, he said.
“Another measure is to have more awareness programmes on labour rights and social protection among foreign domestic workers,” he added.
This, he said, could be done via collaboration between embassies and domestic workers’ groups.
He said the ministry would intensify efforts by working with unions, employers and industry representatives in implementing the National Action Plan on Forced Labour 2021-2025 in line with Malaysia’s ratification of Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention.
“The ministry, as the chair of a special committee to review human trafficking issues, will continue to work closely with the Home Ministry and other interest groups to enhance Malaysia’s reputation in fighting human trafficking, particularly forced labour,” he said.
