“Laws allowing excessive overtime make Malaysia party to propagation of forced labour”

We, the undersigned 20 groups, organisations and trade unions, applaud Malaysia’s stated commitment to eradicate forced labour.

However, fining or even imprisoning employers only is simply not enough, as [the authorities] must ensure worker victims, including migrant workers, are justly compensated by the perpetrators of forced labour….

The 1921 ILO Convention stated that workers will have to work not more than eight hours per day or not more than 48 hours a week…

… Even though Malaysia has reduced the weekly working hours…it is useless if the legal overtime limit remains 104 hours a month…

Local workers and migrant workers are both victims of forced labour. When they do muster the courage to demand their rights, outstanding payments due and other entitlements provided by law, some employers respond with threats of termination (penalty), and in the case of migrant workers, cancellation of work permits and even detention and repatriation back to their countries of origin.

… avenues of justice for workers are in Malaysia, and many require the physical attendance of the affected worker…

Fines and compound payments go to the government – not to the affected worker victims of forced labour…