Latest news with #WRO
The Sun
24-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
KESUMA calls on employers to uphold workers' rights
BUTTERWORTH: Employers, including government agencies, companies, industries, and individuals, have been urged to protect workers' rights and avoid any conduct which may result in exploitation or forced labour. 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.
New Straits Times
24-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Human Resources Ministry urges employers to act against forced labour
BUTTERWORTH: Employers, including government agencies, companies, industries, and individuals, have been urged to protect workers' rights and avoid any conduct which may result in exploitation or forced labour. Human Resources Ministry 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 Peninsular Malaysia Labour Department, 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. 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. – BERNAMA
Tatler Asia
25-04-2025
- Business
- Tatler Asia
How Space Faculty's Lynette Tan is shaping the future of youth innovation in Singapore
Space Faculty's next frontier is robotics. Tan speaks with enthusiasm about the transformative power of robotics, highlighting how advancements in artificial intelligence collaborative robots and Autonomous Mobile Robots are helping address labour shortages and open new career pathways to solve complex issues such as climate change. She stresses that as these technologies advance, a strong talent pool is essential to support the sector and drive Singapore's future economy. For Tan, building such talent starts with inspiring youths—an effort that is highlighted by Space Faculty's recent success in securing the bid to host the World Robot Olympiad (WRO) finals in Singapore in November 2025. 'This is like the Olympics of the robotics world for youths, which is expected to bring together over 4,000 of the brightest young robotics talents to Singapore, from around the world,' says Tan. Co-located with Expand Space, the WRO finals will not only bring together young robotics talents from across the globe, but also attract young professionals and industry experts, bolstering Singapore's status as an innovation hub. On a personal level, Tan is eager to embrace new challenges. This outlook is partly inspired by a life-threatening health scare in 2018, when she was diagnosed with necrotising fasciitis. 'I escaped unscathed but scarred,' she says, reflecting on the rare disease. 'One in three people don't survive.' Despite her ordeal, she believes that the narrative of greatness doesn't have to be built on a foundation of hardship. The ordinary individual—someone who may not have a grand story of resilience—deserves to know that they, too, can achieve remarkable things. 'I want people to feel that they can do great things even without [hardships] in their lives. I'm really glad I survived. It's why I do these 'strange and peculiar things',' she reflects, referring to her relentless pursuit of new challenges in space, deep tech and robotics. It is this drive to live fully that she hopes to instil in Singapore's next generation of innovators. NOW READ How Asia's edtech entrepreneurs are making a difference in learning and teaching ArtSee co-founder Nabillah Jalal on how music mentoring bridges cultural and educational gaps Hazlina Abdul Halim, CEO of Make-A-Wish, on her work in social impact
Hi Dubai
12-02-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
Dubai Police and WRO Strengthen Ties for Enhanced Rescue Operations
Dubai Police and the World Rescue Organisation (WRO) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to boost collaboration in emergency response, training, and technological advancements. The agreement was formalized on the sidelines of the UAE Rescue Challenge 2025, reinforcing Dubai's commitment to global rescue excellence. The MoU was signed by Lieutenant General Abdulla Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, and Paul Schroeder, President of the WRO, in the presence of senior officials. The partnership aims to advance best practices in search and rescue while preparing for Dubai's hosting of the World Rescue Challenge in 2027. Lt. Gen. Al Marri emphasized the importance of international cooperation in strengthening emergency response capabilities. 'Signing this MoU underscores our commitment to enhancing our expertise and readiness. Hosting the World Rescue Challenge in 2027 will further establish Dubai as a global leader in rescue operations,' he stated. WRO President Paul Schroeder highlighted the significance of the collaboration, noting that it will enhance training programs and bolster global preparedness. He also commended Dubai Police's efforts in hosting the UAE Rescue Teams Challenge, which provides a critical platform for skill development. Under the MoU, Dubai Police and WRO will focus on: Advanced training programs to enhance technical rescue skills. Knowledge sharing and research on innovative rescue techniques. Technological advancements to improve operational efficiency. Public awareness initiatives on safety and emergency preparedness. Preparations for the World Rescue Challenge 2027 in Dubai. This strategic partnership cements Dubai Police's position as a global leader in emergency response, paving the way for innovative and effective search and rescue operations worldwide. News Source: Emirates News Agency
