Array
(
    [_edit_lock] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1737443758:23
        )

    [tdc_dirty_content] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1
        )

    [tdc_icon_fonts] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:0:{}
        )

    [_thumbnail_id] => Array
        (
            [0] => 244541
        )

    [_edit_last] => Array
        (
            [0] => 23
        )

    [onesignal_meta_box_present] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1
        )

    [onesignal_send_notification] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

    [onesignal_modify_title_and_content] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

    [onesignal_notification_custom_heading] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

    [onesignal_notification_custom_content] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

    [_post_language] => Array
        (
            [0] => English
        )

    [_molongui_main_author] => Array
        (
            [0] => user-23
        )

    [td_post_theme_settings] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:1:{s:11:"td_subtitle";s:111:"In numerous cases, workers are reluctant to come forward and lodge complaints due to fear of losing their jobs ";}
        )

    [_yoast_wpseo_primary_category] => Array
        (
            [0] => 613
        )

    [_yoast_wpseo_focuskw] => Array
        (
            [0] => Prioritise labour inspections
        )

    [_yoast_wpseo_linkdex] => Array
        (
            [0] => 59
        )

    [_yoast_wpseo_content_score] => Array
        (
            [0] => 90
        )

    [_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2
        )

    [_yoast_wpseo_wordproof_timestamp] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

    [post_views_count] => Array
        (
            [0] => 289
        )

    [post_views_count_7_day_arr] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:7:{i:0;a:2:{s:4:"date";i:0;s:5:"count";i:0;}i:1;a:2:{s:4:"date";i:0;s:5:"count";i:0;}i:2;a:3:{s:4:"date";s:10:"1748444706";s:5:"count";i:1;s:14:"per_hour_count";a:1:{i:15;i:1;}}i:3;a:2:{s:4:"date";i:0;s:5:"count";i:0;}i:4;a:2:{s:4:"date";i:0;s:5:"count";i:0;}i:5;a:3:{s:4:"date";s:10:"1748108285";s:5:"count";i:1;s:14:"per_hour_count";a:1:{i:17;i:1;}}i:6;a:3:{s:4:"date";s:10:"1748171596";s:5:"count";i:3;s:14:"per_hour_count";a:2:{i:11;i:2;i:13;i:1;}}}
        )

    [post_view_7days_last_day] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2
        )

    [post_views_count_7_day_last_date] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1748444706
        )

    [post_views_count_7_day_total] => Array
        (
            [0] => 5
        )

    [_molongui_author] => Array
        (
            [0] => user-23
        )

    [post_views_last_24_hours] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1
        )

    [post_views_last_48_hours] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1
        )

)
Prioritise labour inspections - A. Balasubramaniam | Scoop
Many employers exploit the lack of labour inspections and enforcement to cheat workers, says Malaysian Trades Union Congress vice president A. Balasubramaniam. - Scoop file pic, January 21, 2025
Opinion/Analysis

Prioritise labour inspections – A. Balasubramaniam

In numerous cases, workers are reluctant to come forward and lodge complaints due to fear of losing their jobs

Updated
2:26 PM MYT

 

ISSUES such as unpaid wages, mistreatment of workers, non-compliance with minimum wage regulations, and underpayment by unscrupulous employers remain rampant. Many employers exploit the lack of labour inspections and enforcement to cheat workers.

In numerous cases, workers are reluctant to come forward and lodge complaints due to fear of losing their jobs or facing penalties. Under Section 65 of the Employment Act, labour officers are empowered to inspect any workplace. However, incidents such as the recent mistreatment of 251 workers by “Kawaguchi” could have been averted if the Labour Department had conducted regular inspections.

It took months of negotiation for this issue to settled. The violation of labour laws could have been arrested if prompt action had been taken with early intervention.

It is imperative that the Labour Department, under the Ministry of Human Resources, prioritises its inspection duties without further delay. While trade unions have repeatedly raised concerns about the lack of scrutiny, the situation remains the same.

Currently, there are approximately 85 labour offices nationwide staffed by fewer than 600 officers. This is grossly inadequate to oversee the nearly 1.5 million companies registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia. Despite these limitations, efforts should be made to target employers with large workforces and actively operating businesses.

The Ministry of Human Resources must take decisive steps to increase the number of labour officers to strengthen enforcement efforts. Labour matters should not be treated with minimal importance, as ensuring fair treatment and compliance is crucial for the protection of workers and the integrity of the labour market. – January 21, 2025

A. Balasubramaniam is the vice president of the Malaysian Trades Union Congress

Topics

 

◉ Popular

False start robs Azeem Fahmi of chance to win 200m medal at Malaysia Open

After disqualification, sprinter switches focus to packed 100m schedule tomorrow

Syed Mokhtar salur peruntukan tambahan RM30 juta bantu pesawah: Anwar

Perdana Menteri berkata, ia adalah tambahan terhadap RM60 juta yang disalurkan Bernas kepada pesawah miskin, sebelum ini

Fatin’s Olympic dream alive after compound archery added to LA28

The Malaysian archer says LA28 inclusion marks a turning point after years of being excluded from the Olympic stage

◉ Related

Copyright © 2023. All rights reserved.