In a recent development, Malaysia has cracked down on 400 companies for breaches of labor law this year, as reported by the state news agency Bernama. V Sivakumar, the Minister of Human Resources, disclosed that the Ministry’s labor department has imposed fines totaling 2.17 million ringgit ($463,000) on 272 employers. Additionally, the courts have fined 128 employers a combined 242,000 ringgit ($51,700).
While specific company names and details of the labor violations were not provided, Malaysia’s significance in the global supply chain cannot be underestimated. The country plays a pivotal role in manufacturing various products, from palm oil and medical gloves to semiconductor chips.
It’s worth noting that Malaysian companies have previously faced sanctions from the United States due to allegations of mistreatment of migrant workers, who are commonly employed in the nation’s manufacturing and plantation sectors. These allegations encompass forced labor practices such as debt bondage, excessively long working hours, confiscation of passports, and substandard living conditions.
Malaysia has set an ambitious goal to eliminate forced labor practices entirely by 2030. This crackdown on companies violating labor laws underscores the nation’s commitment to addressing these issues and ensuring fair treatment for its workforce.
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