KUALA LUMPUR: The Human Resources Ministry has opened 1,660 investigation papers this year through the Peninsular Malaysia Labour Department.

In a statement on Thursday (Nov 30), it said that this was the result of various inspections and ops held from January to October this year.

"Selangor recorded the highest number of investigation papers with 306, followed by Johor with 294 and Perak with 220.

"These inspection and operation activities cover the Employment Act 1955 (Amendment) 2022, Workers’ Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities (Amendment) Act 2019 (Act 446), as well as the Minimum Wage Order (2022),” said the ministry in the statement.

It added that from the investigation papers, 357 led to prosecution and were fined RM426,736,

While 792 received compounds of more than RM4mil.

It said that JTKS will continue to intensify inspections and operations under Act 446, which has been enforced since 2020.

"Throughout 2023, a total of 413 investigation papers were opened for violations under this act, and of that number, 44 of them led to cases and were fined RM77,000.

"Meanwhile, 276 of those investigation papers led to compounds amounting to RM2.84mil," it said.

In addition to inspections and operations, the ministry, through the labour department, handled labour cases that included claims such as salary payments, termination benefits, termination notice payments and annual leave payments.

"For the period from January to October 2023, we have handled a total of 14,012 labour cases. Of those, a total of 13,006 cases led to payouts totalling over RM65.2mil," it said.

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2023/11/30/over-1600-investigation-papers-opened-this-year-says-human-resource-ministry