JASIN | In a recent integrated enforcement operation led by the state Labour Department (JTK), a furniture factory in Sungai Rambai has come under scrutiny for multiple violations, exposing the inadequate living conditions provided to its foreign workers. The factory owner now faces potential legal consequences for offenses that range from lacking proper accommodation certificates to violating the Workers’ Minimum Standard of Housing and Amenities Act 1990 (Act 446). The investigation, which unfolded under the supervision of Ngwe Hee Sem, the chairman of the State Health, Human Resources, and ..read more

PETALING JAYA | An activist has welcomed the suggestion for a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) into the migrant workers management system and forced labor problem, saying it would “name and shame” those responsible for migrant worker abuses. Adrian Pereira of North-South Initiative said setting up an RCI would mean having a more competent investigating team to probe the management system and forced labor problem. Seputeh MP Teresa Kok recently said an RCI with experts in the field could help identify the root causes of the forced labor system, such as enablers, paper and money trails, and loo ..read more

PUTRAJAYA | Human Resources Minister Steven Sim today said that the 751 foreign workers who were duped over non-existent jobs in Pengerang, Johor have filed a RM2.21 million claim. In a joint press conference with Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail at Kompleks Setia Perdana, today, he further shared that the claim was made under Section 69 of Employment Act. “The labour case claim summons has been delivered to the company directors and the case will be mentioned on February 5. “We would normally call them to the labour court office. However, this case would be heard at Pengera ..read more

KUALA LUMPUR – PERSOLKELLY Malaysia has published its 2023/2024 Malaysia Salary & Employment Outlook. The report suggests that the need for talent will continue to grow in the new year as the unemployment rate is expected to remain low given the anticipated economic recovery.  However, socioeconomic factors coupled with technological advancements have had an undeniable influence on the job market dynamics, and PERSOLKELLY advises both employers and employees to be aware of what this means for them. More importantly, what they can do to leverage and continue thriving amidst the evolvin ..read more

KUALA LUMPUR | The unemployment rate for November 2023 is showing a decrease in number, dropping to 3.3 percent, with 569,000 jobless individuals—the same as pre-pandemic levels. This improvement from October’s 3.4 percent was reported in the latest Labour Force statistics by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM). Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin highlighted the positive economic growth reflected in the November figures. The labor force expanded by 0.2 percent to 17 million people, compared to October’s 16.97 million. Employed persons increased by 0.2 percent, reaching ..read more

PETALING JAYA | Company licenses are abused in various sectors, including construction, which is believed to be a tactic to bring in workers from source countries, especially Bangladesh. According to a source, certain groups were using valid contractor licenses issued by the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) to facilitate the recruitment of foreign workers for “non-existent” vacancies, especially in the construction sector. According to FMT, the source said that the higher the value of the project, the more workers they can bring in, even though the jobs don’t exist. According to ..read more

PETALING JAYA | The government has been urged by a migrant rights activist to guarantee sufficient compensation for 171 Bangladeshi immigrant workers who went viral after taking part in a protest after coming to Malaysia for jobs that did not exist. The workers, who were arrested were deceived into paying high recruitment fees back home for non-existent jobs, according to Andy Hall. “They should be fully compensated at minimum wage levels for the months spent waiting for a non-existent job promised to them. They should also have all the recruitment costs and related fees paid by them in Bangla ..read more

KUALA LUMPUR | The Home Ministry and the Human Resources Ministry are committed to improving the management of foreign workers in the country, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail (pic). He said that issues involving the shared scope of both ministries were discussed during his meeting with Minister of Human Resources Steven Sim Chee Keong in Putrajaya on Wednesday (Jan 3) and added that the discussion also covered cases of exploitation of foreign workers. “The meeting this evening focused on issues involving the shared scope of both ministries, namely the management of foreign workers ..read more

PETALING JAYA | The human resources ministry will help over 100 Bangladeshis who have allegedly been duped by recruitment agents. Minister Steven Sim told FMT that although the case involving the 171 migrant workers, who have since been arrested, was beyond the ministry’s jurisdiction, “we will aid the Bangladeshis on humanitarian grounds”. The Bangladeshi workers were spotted marching towards the Bayu Damai police station, in a now viral video. They were arrested on Wednesday. Earlier this evening, Kota Tinggi police chief Hussin Zamora said the workers wanted to lodge a police report against ..read more

JOHOR BAHRU | A young Bangladeshi has been making profits by selling a fake work permit renewal to foreign workers in Malaysia. The 26-year-old even set up a company that provided services on immigration matters which he registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) to make his operations look more legitimate. The Immigration Department arrested him and two of his workers in Tampoi around 1.55 p.m. during Ops Serkap on December 19. According to Johor Immigration Director Baharuddin Tahir, when being detained during the operation, the suspect claimed to be the chairman of a private ..read more