LETTERS: While forced labour is prohibited in the constitution, workplace exploitation and abusive practices against workers in some sectors have attracted criticism from external organisations that the country is tacitly condoning forced labour.

Workers are sometimes not paid their wages on time, wages are withheld without valid reasons, long working hours without overtime pay, failure to provide adequate rest days, public holidays or annual leave, poor and hazardous working conditions, arbitrary discipline and verbal or physical abuse.

Such workplace violations, when raised by foreign governments or external organisations, would see the intervention of local enforcement agencies.

The country has adequate laws to address the above, but what is lacking is its enforcement. 

To ensure that workplace exploitation and abusive practices are eliminated, we should address the issue of forced labour, and what is required is the strict enforcement of laws.

Besides, workers should be educated about their rights and the channels to raise grievances.

As workers deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, the authorities must ensure that employers are not engaged in exploitation and abusive practices against workers in their organisations.

PROFESSOR DATUK SERI DR ASHGAR ALI ALI MOHAMED

International Islamic University Malaysia

https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/letters/2022/05/797079/have-strict-enforcement-laws-check-abuse