THE establishment of a working committee between US Customs and Borders Protection (US CBP) and the Malaysian authorities would help alleviate propaganda from various quarters in regards to forced labour in the country, said Plantations and Commodities Minister Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin.  

“My ministry will continue to ensure that the country’s commodity industry, which is one of the main contributors to the country’s economic recovery after COVID-19, will continue to be protected from misleading reports from various quarters.  

“Hence, I would also like to call upon industry players to join my ministry in our effort to oppose the anti-palm oil campaign and continue to promote its benefits,” she said, in a statement.  

Last week, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri M Saravanan announced that both the US CBP and his team would establish a working committee to address forced labour claims in Malaysia.  

The committee, he added, would meet every three months and focus on exchanging information, including formulating policies that could support the country’s initiatives towards combating forced labour. 

“The US CBP is expected to make a working visit to Malaysia this month and hold a workshop with the country’s industry players. 

“The workshop will shed light on matters related to elements of forced labour that should be avoided by industry players so that their products will not be banned from entering the US market,” Bernama reported Saravanan as saying.  

Touching on the matter, Zuraida alleged that many accusations of forced labour made by NGOs and other groups were not verified by the US authorities, resulting in Malaysian palm oil and oil palm products being banned.  

Calling it grossly unfair, the Ampang MP added that Malaysia has embarked on various measures to curb forced labour practises over the years.  

“We have ratified International Labour Organization (ILO) to address forced labour and child labour issues.  

“In addition, we also ratified ILO resolutions on collective bargaining, equal remuneration, minimum age of working and minimum wage.  

“These conventions provide useful guidance in determining Malaysia’s obligations with respect to protecting migrant workers’ rights,” she mentioned.  

Zuraida remarked: “On Nov 19 last year, Putrajaya had agreed to ratify the ILO Protocol 29 which is the Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention, 1930, as well as Malaysia’s participation as a Pathfinder country under the SDG Alliance 8.7, as part of the ongoing effort to eradicate forced labour.” – May 15, 2022

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