In a statement released by the Ministry of Human Resource (MOHR), it states that the amendment to the Work Act 1955 mandates the need to obtain Approval for the Employment of Foreign Workers from the Director General of JTKSM under Section 60K(4). This employment approval is for the employment of all categories of foreign workers in this country.
It is appropriate for employers to obtain approval for the employment of foreign workers from the Director General of JTKSM because of applications that were previously rejected following the employer’s failure to comply with labor laws.
Section 60K(4) of the Labor Act 1955 will act as an effective initial screening in ensuring that employers who will employ foreign workers in this country have a clean record in terms of compliance with labor standards.
The image and credibility of the country has been tarnished by the issue of forced labor where the products of local companies related to rubber gloves and palm oil have been blocked from being marketed in the United States by the US Customs and Border Protection.
CASE OF FORCED LABOR
“I would like to share the need for screening to prevent employers/companies or private employment agencies from engaging in forced labor practices. For example, on December 15, 2022, the Peninsular Malaysia Manpower Department (JTKSM) in collaboration with the Royal Malaysian Police successfully rescued 12 Indonesian women who were victims of the empowerment of a Private Employment Agency (APS) in Klang,” said HR Minister, V. Sivakumar.
This follows from a surprise inspection operation conducted by JTKSM on 15 APS nationwide.
The results of JTKSM’s investigation found that the 12 Indonesians had been promised jobs as Domestic Servants (housekeepers), but they were locked up in a condominium unit owned by APS, supervised by 2 workers.
The investigation also found the existence of indicators of forced labor and human trafficking such as confining people, restricting freedom of movement and preventing access to communication with outsiders.
All 12 women have been placed in shelters while the APS is accused under Section 12 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007.
