Page 19 - NAPFL FINAL

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1.1 Background
For the purpose of this NAPFL,
forced labour is defined as
This National Action Plan on “all work or service which is
Forced Labour (NAPFL) sets exacted from any person
out the commitments of the under the threat of a National Action Plan on Forced Labour (2021-2025)
Government of Malaysia to penalty and for which the
eliminate forced labour in person has not offered
Malaysia. himself or herself

voluntarily.”
Through this NAPFL, the Government,
workers’ and employers’ organisations - This definition is contained in article 2 of
particularly the Malaysian Employers ILO Convention 29 on Forced Labour
Federation (MEF) and Malaysian Trades (1930). The definition is the globally
Union Congress (MTUC) - and other civil agreed definition of forced labour and
society organisations in Malaysia Malaysia has ratified the Convention in
commit to working together, to 1957.
implement the activities in the NAPFL
towards eliminating the practice of
forced labour in the country. The The definition covers various forms of
timeframe for the present NAPFL is forced labour. Victims of forced labour
2021-2025, but a continuation of the may be forced, coerced or tricked into a
plan may be required from 2026 to forced labour situation. Once caught in
ensure that Malaysia is indeed free of forced labour, victims are unable to
forced labour in all its forms. freely leave work because they face the
“menace of a penalty”, such as ‘fines’ by
the employer or being expelled as
It is also recognised that this NAPFL is a undocumented; because they are bound
living document and adjustments may by debt (debt bondage); because they
be needed during the course of are threatened with violence or other
implementation to reflect repercussions to themselves or their
developments. families or because they have had their
personal papers and travel documents
confiscated or any other means of
threats or penalty that makes it
impossible to leave their employer. It
also includes loss of privileges including
career advancement.