Kedah records highest forced labour complaints, Parliament told

KUALA LUMPUR: Close to 80 complaints of forced labour were received by the Peninsular Malaysia Labour Department between 2023 and Aug 31 this year, the Dewan Rakyat was told.

Human Resources Minister Steven Sim said 76 complaints were received during this period, with 40 recorded in 2023 and 36 between Jan 1 and Aug 31 this year.

Of the 40 complaints last year, Kedah had 25 followed by Perak (six), Negri Sembilan (five) while Selangor, Terengganu, Sabah and Sarawak recorded one complaint each.

Kedah also had the highest number of complaints as of Aug 31 this year with 32, followed by Pahang (two), Selangor (one) and Terengganu (one).

“All complaints were related to failure in paying salaries on time, not providing annual and sick leaves, as well as unconducive lodging quarters.

“The complaints have been investigated and appropriate action taken,” he told the Dewan Rakyat on Friday (Oct 25).

Between 2018 and 2022, Sim said 44 complaints of force labour were recorded, with all being resolved by the Labour Department.

He was responding to a question by Tan Hong Pin (PH-Bakri) who asked about the total number of forced labour cases received and resolved between 2018 and 2024.

Tan also asked about the ministry’s plans to amend the definition of forced labour, according to the 11 benchmarks defined by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

To this, Sim said the existing definition of forced labour under Section 90B of the Labour Act 1955 is in line with the four main ILO indicators.

Under Section 90B, any employer who threatens, deceives or forces an employee to do any activity, service or work and prevents that employee from proceeding beyond the place or area where such activity, service or work is done, commits an offence.

On conviction, they are liable to a fine not exceeding RM100,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both.

Sim said the ministry is also reviewing enforcement measures under the Labour Act.

“The National Action Plan on Forced Labour 2021-2025 (NAPFL) is also being reviewed to improve its strategies and strengthen enforcement.

“Continuing this action plan will meet obligations under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) signed by the Malaysian government,” he said.

He said the Labour Department will continue conducting awareness and education programmes on forced labour.