Human Resources Minister V Sivakumar said his ministry will conduct nationwide operations following a letter by a migrant rights activist to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), regarding the plight of Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia.

According to Bernama, he was commenting on a local media report about activist Andy Hall, who wrote to OHCHR, a body under the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Switzerland.

Hall alleged that hundreds of Bangladeshi workers are struggling in debt bondage and without jobs in Malaysia.

“I view this matter seriously. I also want those involved not to repeat things like this, and we want to avoid elements of forced labour in this country,” he said after attending the third series of the Jelajah Madani in Gombak today.

Sivakumar stressed the move was to ensure that the allegations in the letter, including the issue of an unfavourable environment and foreign workers who are allegedly struggling in debt bondage, were not true.

Andy Hall

On Malaysians being deceived by job scams in other countries, he explained that his ministry will continue to provide information to youths, to ensure that they do not fall for empty promises made by agents.

Talent Corporation Malaysia Bhd (TalentCorp), is also implementing various efforts to ensure that students who are about to enter the workforce know of the potential jobs in this country.

It also includes measures like creating more opportunities in the field of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), so that they do not depend on foreign countries, added Sivakumar.

Applications for admission to 1,334 TVET institutions nationwide for the January 2024 session are open until Nov 13.

“I hope youths seize the opportunity to venture into TVET because the courses offered are tailored according to the needs of the labour market, thus guaranteeing employment opportunities in the future," Sivakumar added.

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