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While the fight against forced labour is of their rights to health, education, 1.2 Situation
not new, the issue has gained among others, when their parents are Forced labour complaints (2020-21)
substantially more attention within the trapped in different forms of forced Analysis in Peninsular Malaysia
last decade. This includes significant labour and are unable to provide for
media and consumer attention to forced them. This can adversely impact the Years 2020 2021
labour in global supply chains that has country’s social and economic The 2019 Background Study
only become more important with development. Complaints received 6 7
globalisation. for this NAPFL found that under ATIPSOM National Action Plan on Forced Labour (2021-2025)
there is limited data and
As such, this National Action Plan on Investigation paper / 4 3
Therefore, in addition to the legal and Forced Labour (NAPFL) provides a evidence on forced labour in prosecution
moral obligation to eliminate forced framework for the national efforts to Malaysia and that most of
labour, countries also have an economic eliminate forced labour in Malaysia. Others* 2 4
and reputational interest in combatting the publicly available
forced labour within their borders evidence is investigative Source: JTKSM
especially when a significant part of the The NAPFL is an umbrella for initiatives journalism and sector- * proceed to investigate under Employment Act 1955; and
economy is dependent on global supply by the government, workers’ and referred cases to other agencies (cases not related under
chains and consumers, who have employers’ organisations- particularly specific studies.
become increasingly aware of the risk of the MEF and MTUC, the civil society
forced labour. This could jeopardise the organisations and international industry As forced labour is a criminal activity in
export of key commodities (like palm oil) associations to achieve elimination of Malaysia, as in most other countries, it
and goods (e.g., electronics, rubber forced labour by 2030, in line with the Palm oil appears to be the takes place “beneath the radar” and
products). SDG Target 8.7. It is important to note, therefore, forced labour is often
that this NAPFL focuses specifically on most well-described sector associated with the informal economy,
forced labour, not on human trafficking and though the full extent of which is also associated with non-
The authorities therefore need to which is covered by the NAPTIP. forced labour is not known, payment of taxes and other issues that
prioritise actions to address forced may impede national social and
labour and ensure fair recruitment and the palm oil sector, at economic development. Forced labour is
decent work in line with international The links between the NAPTIP and the national level, has taken also often associated with vulnerable
human rights instruments, such as the NAPFL are described in more detail groups whose labour rights are not
ILO Fair Recruitment Principles and the under section 1.3. The NAPTIP is on its significant steps towards protected by existing legal frameworks,
ILO Declaration on Fundamental Rights. third edition outlining national eradicating forced labour, including (but not limited to) the
undocumented migrant workers and
strategies in combatting TIP.
National Action Plan on Forced Labour (2021-2025) data, the background study comprise of primarily informal migrant
according to the background
Victims of forced labour also have
refugees, stateless and asylum-seekers
families and children, who are deprived
who are not allowed to work legally in
study. Despite the scarcity of
the country. Undocumented persons
who
(e.g.,
workers
provided a picture of forced
workers
have
or
permits
overstayed
are
their
labour in Malaysia.
otherwise unregistered as migrant
workers) and their dependants.