Latest news with #JTK
Daily Express
16-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
System to manage non-resident workers
Published on: Friday, May 16, 2025 Published on: Fri, May 16, 2025 By: Sisca Humphrey Text Size: Rosli (second left) officiates the launch of the eNores system. Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Department of Labour (JTK) has introduced a new system called the Integrated Non-Resident Employment Management System (eNORES), which will provide a comprehensive solution for managing the employment of non-resident workers in the State. The launch of eNORES took place in conjunction with the Sabah Tripartite Labour Convention, involving 400 participants, on Wednesday. Advertisement Sabah JTK Director Wan Zulkifli Wan Setapa said the system is expected to have a significant impact on more than 187,000 employers and workers in Sabah, including those working illegally or without proper documentation. 'The eNORES system covers 12 core modules encompassing the entire process of worker management from recruitment and employment to repatriation,' he said. According to him, the launch of this system is a major step in ensuring more organized and effective management of foreign workers in the State. 'This system will also provide an opportunity for employers and workers to interact on a more structured and efficient platform,' Wan Zulkifli said. Alongside the launch of eNORES, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed between JTK Sabah and seven regulatory agencies involved in the management of non-resident workers. Among the participating agencies were the Immigration Department of Malaysia, Sabah Department of Agriculture, and the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB). Wan Zulkifli further commenting, this MoU allows all regulatory agencies to access relevant data from the system, enabling them to plan and implement more effective policies and decisions regarding the management of foreign workers in the State. The signing of the MoU was witnessed by the Director-General of the National Digital Department (JDN) under the Ministry of Digital Malaysia, Datuk Dr Fazidah Abu Bakar. In related developments, he said JTK Sabah also announced data-sharing partnerships through system integration with several parties such as SOCSO (MyFutureJobs), the Companies Commission of Malaysia (MySSM), and the Ministry of Home Affairs (NIISe). 'Through the system, we can ensure that over 2.1 million workers in the State, including undocumented workers, receive better benefits and protection,' he added. He also emphasised this data-sharing initiative aims to enhance transparency and effectiveness in managing non-resident workers in the State. 'It is expected to greatly benefit various stakeholders, including employers and workers, while ensuring that Sabah continues to progress in workforce management, especially in the rapidly advancing digital era,' he said. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Daily Express
14-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Over 2.1 million Sabah workers benefit
Published on: Thursday, May 15, 2025 Published on: Thu, May 15, 2025 By: Sisca Humphrey Text Size: Rosli (second left) officiates the launch of the eNores system. Kota Kinabalu: Over 2.1 million workers in Sabah now benefit from broader legal protection under the newly enforced Labour Ordinance of Sabah (Amendment) Act 2025. The amendment, officiated at the Tripartite Labour Convention by State Federal Secretary Datuk Seri Rosli Isa, marks the first significant update to the Ordinance in more than 20 years. The Ordinance, effective May 1, 2025, aims to streamline regulatory processes and clarify the rights and obligations of both employers and employees, ensuring greater protection for all workers, including previously unregistered or undocumented workers. 'This change will improve working conditions and safeguard vulnerable workers in remote areas, strengthening legal protections for all,' said Rosli. He said significant updates include longer maternity leave (98 days), new seven-day paternity leave and reduced weekly hours (45), aligning Sabah with national standards and promoting work-life balance. 'These changes reflect our Government's commitment to equal opportunities and family well-being,' he said. He noted that one key issue the amended Ordinance tackles is the high number of undocumented foreign workers. 'Sabah, with a population of 3.8 million, is estimated to host 1.8 million foreign workers, yet only 2.1 million are officially registered, highlighting a large group still without legal protection. 'We estimate that Sabah hosts 1.8 million foreign workers, but only 2.1 million workers are registered. 'This challenge in labour governance is something the Ordinance aims to address through clearer registration frameworks,' he said. Alongside this, Rosli said, the Government remains committed to protecting vulnerable groups, particularly in rural areas, from forced labour and human trafficking. 'An anti-trafficking and forced labour outreach programme recently took place in Merotai Besar, Tawau, involving the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and the Immigration Department. 'These efforts are crucial to ensuring that all workers, including those in remote communities, are not left vulnerable to exploitation. 'The revised Ordinance not only aims to bring undocumented workers into the legal system but also ensures that vulnerable workers are safeguarded from trafficking and forced labour,' he added. Sabah Labour Department (JTK) Director Wan Zulkfli Wan Setapa said the revised Ordinance ensures shared responsibility between employers and the JTK. 'This ensures that all workers, including those previously unregistered, are brought into the legal system. 'It's a critical step in preventing exploitation and guaranteeing they receive the protections afforded by labour laws,' he said. Rosli also emphasised the Government's commitment to enforcing Malaysia's minimum wage policies, ranging from RM1,500 to RM1,700 depending on the sector. 'These policies ensure fair pay for both local and foreign workers and protect them from exploitation,' he said, addressing concerns that lower wages might encourage the hiring of undocumented workers. A significant part of the event was the launch of the Labour Education Convoy Series, which will travel across the State from capital city to Sandakan, Tawau and other districts, eventually concluding in Tenom. Wan Zulkfli said this seven-day journey aims to raise awareness about the amended Labour Ordinance, focusing on tripartite stakeholders, including the Government, employer groups and workers' unions. 'This convoy represents a significant step in educating and engaging employers, workers and stakeholders to ensure they understand their rights and obligations under the new ordinance,' he said. Under the leadership of JTK Sabah Director, the initiative will focus on educating employers, especially smaller plantation owners and smallholders, about the Ordinance's requirements and helping them navigate the regulatory changes. 'These amendments bring Sabah's labour laws in line with national and international standards, including those under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the International Labour Organization (ILO). He affirmed that this alignment is expected to attract responsible investors and generate high-quality job opportunities for the people of the State. 'The amendment is more than just a legal update. It is about fairness, respect and building a better future for workers in Sabah,' he said while launching the convention, marking a new chapter for workers' rights in East Malaysia. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
New Straits Times
14-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
600,000 undocumented migrants working in Sabah
KOTA KINABALU: There are an estimated 600,000 undocumented migrant workers in Sabah, the majority of whom are believed to be employed in the plantation sector. Sabah Federal Secretary Datuk Seri Rosli Isa, however, said that the figure is only an estimate, as the actual number remains uncertain. Earlier in his speech, Rosli said that the Sabah Labour Department (JTK) will use the Integrated Non-Resident Employment Management System (eNORES) to record unregistered workers. The eNORES is a comprehensive system designed to manage all aspects of non-resident worker employment from recruitment to employment, and eventually repatriation. "This system is expected to benefit 187,000 employers and 2.1 million workers, not including undocumented or illegal immigrants," said Rosli during the Sabah Tripartite Labour Convention: Sabah Labour Ordinance (Amendment) 2025, in conjunction with the Labour Education Roadshow Series 1/2025, here, today. The roadshow, which comprises eight key programmes, will run for seven days, starting in Kota Kinabalu and continuing to Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Tawau, Keningau, before concluding in Tenom on May 21. During the event, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed to enable access to the eNORES system by seven regulatory agencies. These include the Sabah Chief Minister's Department's Office of Home Affairs and Research; Sabah Human Resource Development Department; Sabah Department of Industrial Development and Research (DIDR); Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA); Immigration Department of Malaysia; Sabah Agriculture Department; and the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB). "The purpose of this MoU is to allow these agencies to access data relevant to their respective departments, thereby facilitating policy-making and planning," said Rosli, noting that the ceremony was witnessed by the Director-General of the National Digital Department Datuk Dr Fazidah Abu Bakar. Rosli also announced that JTK Sabah has secured agreement for data-sharing via system integration with Perkeso's MyFutureJobs and ASSIST; the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM)'s MySSM; the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN)'s NIISe; and the National Registration Department (JPN). Other components of the programme include the Labour Convention, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, and a dialogue session with 200 workers of Sabah Softwood Sdn Bhd plantation, focusing on the latest labour policies and legal updates in the state. Rosli added that an Anti-Trafficking and Forced Labour Awareness Outreach Programme will also be held in Kampung Kijang, Merotai Besar, Tawau, in collaboration with 350 local community leaders and villagers. "The government takes the issues of human trafficking and forced labour, such as job scams, very seriously. "Many victims of such scams are jobseekers living in remote areas with limited access to information," he said. "During this outreach, JTK Sabah, together with the police (PDRM) and the Sabah Immigration Department, will provide briefings and explanations on trafficking and forced labour issues to the villagers." A joint enforcement operation will be carried out in Keningau and Tenom as the final leg of the Labour Education Roadshow Series 1/2025. "A diplomatic and development-based approach is our main strategy, but punitive action will also be taken against any employer who refuses to comply with the law. This is to ensure the rights and welfare of workers are always protected," he stressed.
The Sun
08-05-2025
- The Sun
Modern-day slavery uncovered at Perak furniture factory
BATU GAJAH: Forced to live without wages since December last year, 55 foreign workers at a furniture factory near Lahat here were compelled to borrow from a nearby sundry shop to survive, while their passports were held by their employer. Their ordeal, along with that of six Malaysian workers, came to an end today when they were rescued by police in a joint operation with the Department of Labour (JTK) and the Department of Environment. Perak Police Chief Datuk Noor Hisam Nordin said the foreign workers, all men aged between 19 and 45, were from Bangladesh, Myanmar and Nepal while the six Malaysians, aged between 35 and 60, comprised three men and three women. 'A 58-year-old Malaysian man, believed to be the factory manager and employer, has been arrested. The factory, which processes wood for furniture, has been in operation for 28 years,' he said when met at the site. Noor Hisam said several of the victims had informed authorities that they were forced to borrow money from a nearby shop owner to purchase daily necessities, especially food. 'We were also told that all the (foreign) victims' passports were being held by the employer to prevent them from fleeing,' he added. All victims will be taken to the Perak Contingent Police Headquarters (IPK) for documentation before being transferred today to the Fourth Protection Centre (RP4) in Tanjung Kling, Melaka. The case is being investigated under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act (ATIPSOM) 2007. Meanwhile, Perak JTK director Mohd Nizar Zakaria said the employer was found to have committed several violations under the Employment Act 1955 and Section 24(D) of the Minimum Standards of Housing, Accommodations and Employee Facilities Act 1990 [Act 446]. 'The offences include failure to pay wages, delayed salary payments, unlawful deductions, absence of valid employment contracts, and failure to provide suitable accommodation for workers,' he said. Mohd Nizar emphasised that such enforcement is vital as a proactive measure to address non-compliance with labour laws.
