MEF commits to HR ministry's move to wipe out forced labour by 2025

By SINAR DAILY REPORTERS

23 Aug 2023 09:14pm

MEF president Datuk Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman.

SHAH ALAM - Malaysian Employers Federation says it committed to work with Human Resources Minister V Sivakumar to combat and eliminate forced labour, especially among the supply chain sector.

MEF President Datuk Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman said it makes a lot of business sense to combat and eliminate forced labour.

"Employers are now competing for talent and any employer being labelled as practicing forced labour will find it hard to recruit and retain talent.

"Employers’ inability to attract and retain the right talent will seriously hit such employers’ businesses," he said in a statement.

MEF has also given its commitment to end forced labour practices by 2025 as targeted under the National Action Plan on Forced Labour (NAPFL).

“MEF in collaboration with the government, UN agencies and international organisations especially the ILO, are working closely to raise awareness among MEF members and employers at large on forced labour practices to ensure that practices on forced labour are eliminated,” Syed Hussain said.

Employers who employ foreign workers must be aware of the legal requirements such as limitations on overtime work, compliance with the Employees’ Minimum Standards of Housing, Accommodations and Amenities Act, and the National Minimum Wages, among other regulations, he said.

Employers must be aware that withholding of passport of the foreign worker is regarded as an indication of forced labour.”

“MEF looks forward to continue working closely with the Human Resources ministry and the UN agencies, particularly the ILO, towards the objective of combatting and eliminating forced labour practices as the issue of foreign worker supply and access to foreign markets are critical for Malaysia’s economy during this challenging uncertain economic period.”