KESUMA calls on employers to uphold workers' rights
Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) deputy secretary-general (Operations) Sutekno Ahmad Belon said that exploitation and forced labour are no longer just labour or legal matters, but global humanitarian issues which every employer must take seriously.
'It also directly affects the country's reputation and international trade relations. For instance, the issuance of Withhold Release Orders (WRO) by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), on products linked to forced labour, is a very serious measure.
'Therefore, addressing this issue requires collective effort, and the implementation of the National Action Plan on Forced Labour (NAPFL) 2021-2025, jointly led by the National Strategy Office - Council for Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (NSO MAPO) and Department of Labour Peninsular Malaysia (JTKSM) - demonstrates the country's unified commitment to eradicating forced labour,' he said.
He said this to reporters, after officiating the Prevention of Labour Exploitation: Towards Zero Forced Labour 2030 Seminar, which was attended by more than 300 employers from various sectors, in Penang, today.
He added that the one-day seminar aimed to raise awareness on labour issues and forced labour, as well as to strengthen cooperation between the government, industry, and civil society in creating workplaces free from exploitation.
He said that the seminar also focused on critical issues such as forced labour, compliance with labour laws, and the challenges faced by industries in ensuring justice and workers' welfare.
Sutekno added that there are 11 indicators of forced labour, including workers being confined or restricted, wages being withheld or illegally deducted, workers being threatened, forced to work overtime without pay, and workers not having access to their own documents.
Forced labour remains a challenge, because Malaysia, as an active player in global trade, hosts a large number of foreign workers, creating opportunities for exploitation if monitoring is not strict.
He noted that Malaysia is currently ranked at Tier 2 in the United States Department of State's 2024 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report but aims to reach Tier 1 by 2030.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Borneo Post
16 hours ago
- Borneo Post
TVET being strengthened to meet industrial sector's needs, says Meradong rep
Ding takes a group photo during the programme. SIBU (Aug 17): The Ministry of Human Resources has developed the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Admission Unit System as the main channel for TVET course intake across Malaysia, with two methods of student enrolment. Meradong assemblyman Datuk Ding Kuong Hiing said the two methods are 'Premier Intake' and 'Lifelong Intake'. 'TVET opens up opportunities for students to further their studies in skills-based fields, with the government providing training and strengthening TVET to equip them with multi-tasking skills in line with labour market demands, particularly to meet the needs of the nation's industrial sector. 'As of Dec 31, 2024, there are 1,345 TVET institutions in Malaysia, covering over 1,200 public institutions under 12 ministries, 23 state government institutions and 652 private institutions. 'Enrolment into TVET programmes increased from 166,577 in 2022 to 212,022 in 2024, while overall enrolment rose from 394,976 in 2022 to 436,285 in 2024,' he said when officiating the Education Office Expo and Open Day 2025 in Meradong yesterday. The programme was organised by the Meradong District Education Office. According to him, the latest graduate employability rate has reached 94.5 per cent under the 13th Malaysia Plan. 'Currently, the government is actively developing TVET by emphasising the people's wellbeing, income growth, education and development while also strengthening strategic collaboration between TVET institutions and industries to enhance skills and technological knowledge. 'Through this opportunity, we urge all students and former students to register for MyDigital ID as a digital identity verification. This is to improve security, efficiency, and convenience of online services, strengthen trust in the digital landscape, empower smart data-driven digital government, and support the growth of the nation's digital economy,' he said. He also encouraged students to master Artificial Intelligence (AI) skills and strengthen proficiency in English to become more competitive in the job market. Also present at the event were Meradong district education officer Sharifah Idawati Wan Ahmad; Sarawak Foundation representative Hanisah Hadi; representative of Meradong District Officer Alice Sat; Institut Aminuddin Baki Sarawak branch continuing professional development department head Dr Teo Siew Pey; and Meradong district headmasters council chairman Zamerenne Ruin. Ding Kuong Hiing industrial sector lead TVET
The Sun
3 days ago
- The Sun
AI and green economy to impact 620,000 jobs in Malaysia by 2030
ALOR GAJAH: A TalentCorp study predicts that artificial intelligence, digitalisation, and the green economy will impact 620,000 jobs in Malaysia within the next three to five years. Deputy secretary-general of the Ministry of Human Resources Sutekno Ahmad Belon highlighted the rapid growth of emerging sectors like high-tech manufacturing and smart logistics. He stated that careers in these fields demand a mix of technical and soft skills, including critical thinking and digital literacy. The Malaysia Critical Occupations List and MyMahir impact study confirm these skills will remain essential across industries. Sutekno spoke at the closing of the YES! Rock the School programme at Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka. The event was officiated by Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh, with key officials in attendance. Sutekno emphasised the National Workforce Reform's focus on future job analysis and lifelong learning. The YES! programme has already benefited 13,000 students and 500 teachers nationwide. Over 800 participants, including students and educators, engaged in career guidance and industry interaction. The initiative helps students align their skills with industry demands through the MyMahir platform. - Bernama
Barnama
3 days ago
- Barnama
AI, Digitalisation And Green Economy: 620,000 Jobs Expected To Be Affected Within Next Five Years
ALOR GAJAH, Aug 14 (Bernama) -- A TalentCorp impact study on artificial intelligence, digitalisation, and the green economy indicates that 620,000 jobs are expected to be affected within the next three to five years. Deputy secretary-general (Operations) of the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA), Sutekno Ahmad Belon, said that at the same time, emerging sectors such as high-tech manufacturing, smart logistics, experience-based tourism, the green economy, and healthcare services are rapidly growing, especially in Melaka and surrounding regions. 'Careers in these sectors require a combination of technical and soft skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, effective communication, digital literacy, and teamwork,' he said. He added that findings from the Malaysia Critical Occupations List (MyCOL) and the MyMahir impact study conducted by TalentCorp confirm that these skills will remain relevant across all industries. He was speaking at the closing ceremony of the Young Employable Students (YES!) Rock the School programme at the Dewan Canselori, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) in Durian Tunggal today. The event was officiated by Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh, and also attended by Senior State Executive Councillor for Housing, Local Government, Drainage, Climate Change and Disaster Management Datuk Rais Yasin, Melaka Legislative Assembly Speaker Datuk Ibrahim Durum, UTeM deputy vice-chancellor (Academic and International) Prof Dr Zulkiflie Ibrahim, and Education Ministry's Technical Vocational Education and Training Division (BPLTV) director Zulkernai Fauzi. Sutekno said that to ensure young talents are prepared for industry challenges, the KESUMA is driving the National Workforce Reform through three key agendas: future job analysis, lifelong learning, and strengthening collaboration between government, industry, and schools. According to him, the YES! Rock the School programme has so far benefited over 13,000 school students and more than 500 teachers nationwide. 'Today, we gather 800 participants, consisting of students from schools and technical schools, covering various fields such as STEM, Engineering, and Commerce, along with nearly 200 educators from public universities and industries, who are sharing valuable knowledge and experiences with the students.
