The Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) has raised an alarm over the potential for international trade sanctions against Malaysia due to unresolved matters concerning migrant laborers. The key issue revolves around the plight of these workers who have been rendered jobless for months after their arrival in the country.

MTUC’s Secretary-General, Kamarul Baharin Mansor, brought attention to a recent case involving 171 Bangladeshi migrant workers. These laborers have been detained by immigration authorities in Johor since December 20. Mansor classified this situation as a form of labor trafficking.

Call for Government Action

Mansor has appealed to the Malaysian government to take prompt action to address the treatment of migrant workers to avoid sanctions. The concerns center on the potential negative implications for Malaysia’s international trade relations if these issues persist.

The MTUC is apprehensive that the ongoing problems reflect adversely on the country’s labor practices. This could lead to negative repercussions in terms of global trade relations. The US State Department has added Malaysia to its list of the world’s worst human trafficking centers, citing forced labor and debt bondage among migrant workers. This is particularly prevalent in the palm oil and electronics industries.