Department launches 'Ops Banteras' on forced labour, human trafficking

 

The Department of Labour Peninsular Malaysia (JTKSM) has launched a nationwide mega operation dubbed “Ops Banteras” simultaneously throughout Peninsular Malaysia and the Federal Territory of Labuan to combat the issue of forced labour and human trafficking.

JTKSM deputy director-general (Operations) Mohd Asri Abd Wahab, who headed the operations in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur yesterday, said the operation involved a raid on a construction site in Wangsa Maju at 6am and a retail outlet in Bandar Tun Razak, Cheras, at 9.30am.

Asri said both premises were employing 134 workers, 124 of whom were foreigners while the remaining 10 were locals.

“Through this Ops, we detected several major offences committed by the employers under the Employment Act 1955 for failing to report the employment of foreign workers.

“Besides that, both premises also failed to submit their applications to obtain the Certificate for Accommodation and also committed an offence under Section 24D of the Workers’ Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities (Amendments) 2019 (Act 446),” he told reporters after the operation in Bandar Tun Razak.

Asri said other offences detected at the two premises were that there were employees who did not have valid travel documents which violated the Immigration Act 1959/63. He said five or more investigation papers would be opened for the two premises.

He also announced that said a total of 1,285 investigating papers under Act 446 have been opened from February 2021 until March 15, 2022, with 135 of them receiving permission to prosecute with a total fine of RM1,007,000.

He said, from the number, 908 cases will be compounded with a total offer of RM10,537,000 while the rest are still awaiting a decision by the deputy public prosecutor.

“JTKSM will proceed with its enforcement of the Acts under its jurisdiction through Ops Banteras as well as checks to ensure the harmony of the labour industry in the country,” he said.

Ops Banteras this time saw the involvement of various departments and other enforcement agencies, including the Immigration Department, the Royal Malaysian Police and the Department of Occupational Safety and Health. 

- Bernama