Malaysia to Ratify ILO Protocol 29 to End Forced Labour
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Malaysia has decided to ratify the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Protocol 29 as a testament to the country's commitment to eradicate forced labour. Protocol 29 is the protocol to the Forced Labour Convention.
Malaysia committed to end forced labour
Minister of Human Resources Datuk Seri M. Saravanan said that the government had endorsed Malaysia's participation as a pathfinder nation under the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Alliance 8.7.
During the launching of the National Action Plan on Forced Labour (NAPFL) 2021-2025, the minister said that Malaysia is committed to accelerating its efforts and working in unison with the international community to end forced labour.
He added that all of the initiatives and efforts are a testament to the Ministry's and government's commitment to end forced labour. Saravanan said that to ensure the initiatives are performed in a structured manner, the NAPFL 2021-2025 is developed.
To end the use of forced labour in all forms, the government formulated four strategic goals, namely concentrating on awareness, enforcement, labour migration as well as access to remedy and support services.
The minister said that the ILO's 2017 Global Estimates reported that up to 24.9 million people were affected by forced labour worldwide. The Asia Pacific region had the highest prevalence, in which 4 out of 1,000 were victims of forced labour.
Solving forced labour issues
Saravanan stated that Malaysia had its share of forced labour problems. The United States and Canada imposed export sanctions on local companies. In the 2021 Trafficking in Persons Report, Malaysia was placed in Tier 3.
He added that the Malaysian government had taken numerous initiatives, including the Working for Workers (WFW) mobile app. The application serves as an online platform for all workers to file their grievances and complaints without having to be physically present at the Labour Department offices.
The minister also said that the Human Resources Ministry had placed new pre-conditions to monitor foreign workers' entry into the country.
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Forced labour according to ILO.
According to Saravanan, any foreign worker agency must convince and submit proof to the Department of Labour about the suitable accommodation for workers brought into Malaysia.
Additionally, in ensuring that foreign workers receive their wages on time, the Malaysian government will introduce e-wages to monitor these transactions.
He also said that foreign workers now have to undergo quarantine for seven or 14 days based on the national zone and the workers' vaccination status. The government will also conduct training where the workers will learn the laws and customs of this country and who to contact if there is a problem.
In another news, Saravanan said the Human Resources Ministry had received a draft proposal from Bangladesh to bring in foreign workers from 10 firms from that nation.
The minister said he had examined the proposal and would bring the subject to the Cabinet within two weeks for a resolution.
Source: BERNAMA
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