NEARLY 300 EMPLOYERS JOIN JTKSM’S EAST COAST ROADSHOW ON LABOUR EXPLOITATION PREVENTION

KUANTAN, April 17 (Bernama) -- The Roadshow and Seminar on Prevention of Labour Exploitation: Towards Zero Forced Labour 2030 in the East Coast Zone attracted nearly 300 employers in support of efforts to eliminate forced labour and exploitation.

Department of Labour Peninsular Malaysia (JTKSM) director-general Kamal Pardi said the two-day programme, which began yesterday, aimed to raise awareness and improve compliance with workers’ rights and international labour standards.

“The roadshow convoy, comprising 20 vehicles, started at the Setia Perkasa Complex in Putrajaya, with the involvement of departments such as the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (MAPO), the Social Security Organisation, the Immigration Department, and the Employees Provident Fund,” he told a press conference after launching the programme here today.

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Kamal said the programme also featured seminars involving agencies and companies such as MAPO, covering topics including forced labour, its indicators, and the issues faced by SD Guthrie Berhad and Felda Plantation Management Sdn Bhd concerning the Withhold Release Order (WRO) and foreign worker recruitment.

Apart from the seminars, JTKSM set up a booth on the prevention of labour exploitation at the Temerloh Rest and Recreation (R&R) area and Tunas Manja Mall in Kuantan, operating from 10 am to 5 pm throughout the programme.

Kamal said the roadshow would be expanded to the northern zone of Peninsular Malaysia, starting with Perak, Kedah and Perlis next month.

“The programme will take place at the end of May, with Perlis as our final destination, where we will focus on raising awareness about job scams. Last year, we carried out this programme in Negeri Sembilan and Johor,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kamal said JTKSM had conducted 189 enforcement operations between January and March 2025.

“As a result of the operations, a total of 397 investigation papers were opened, and 97 of them were issued with compounds amounting to RM972,200,” he said.

-- BERNAMA