First Solar (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, a solar panel manufacturing and installation facility operating under the ownership of First Solar, Inc. in Arizona, United States, and situated in HighTech Park, Kulim, Kedah, is ensuring responsible business practices throughout its operations.
While maintaining a local workforce, the company is taking proactive measures to address concerns regarding certain contractors who have not met the Responsible Business Allianz (RBA) standards in various departments including security control, cleaning, building maintenance, and warehousing.
The issues identified involve non-compliance with RBA standards, including the practice of imposing unethical recruitment costs both within Malaysia and in the workers’ home countries, along with the inappropriate retention of passports by employers and the withholding of wages.
In response to these concerns, First Solar is taking the following actions:
- Passport and Wage Restoration: First Solar has initiated efforts to ensure that all contractors promptly return passports to foreign workers and release any withheld wages.
- “Reimbursement Plan” Implementation: Collaborating with RBA representatives, First Solar has launched a comprehensive “Reimbursement Plan” designed to facilitate contractors in repaying any improper recruitment costs incurred either in Malaysia or the workers’ home countries.
- Policy Enhancements: To prevent any recurrence of non-compliance issues in the future, First Solar is diligently updating its service contracts and contractor employment policies.
While First Solar (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd acknowledges the gravity of the situation, the Peninsular Malaysia Labour Department (JTKSM) has yet to receive essential information due to the need for permission from the company’s corporate office in the United States. The information pertains to the four contractor companies appointed by First Solar that are at the center of this matter.
Minister of Human Resources, V. Sivakumar, underlines the Ministry’s commitment to address labour-related concerns, stating, “The Ministry of Human Resources is unwavering in its dedication to eliminate forced labour across all employment sectors in the country. There will be no compromise in dealing with this issue.”
As part of its resolve, the V. Sivakumar, Minister of Human Resources will initiate thorough investigations once the list of contractor names is shared by First Solar’s corporate office.
The Ministry of Human Resources (KSM) emphasises the importance of employer compliance with established regulations and will continue its steadfast enforcement activities in alignment with jurisdictional legislation.
These efforts are pivotal in upholding worker welfare, fostering labour harmony, and eradicating forced labour practices from the nation.
