LEGAL ANALYSIS ON FORCED LABOUR IN THE CONTEXT OF INTERNATIONAL LABOUR STANDARD AND MALAYSIAN LAW

Abstract

ABSTRACT

The issue of labour exploitation has been given media coverage at local and international level, particularly in the oil palm plantation sector. It is one form of human trafficking which has been condemned by the international community.  As a member of the International Labor Organization (ILO), this issue needs to be taken seriously. This study aims to examine the international labour standard and the Malaysian law relating to forced labor and trafficking in person by analysing the related legal framework using a doctrinal methodology and library based research as well as analysis of selected decided cases. Although Malaysia has local laws such as the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling  of Migrants Act 2007 (ATIPSOM) [Act 670] which covers aspects of exploitation and coercion,as well as Employment Act 1955 [Act 265]and Workers' Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act, 1990 [Act 446), however, there are allegations that there are lacuna in these laws which need to be improved in order to address the issue of labour exploitation or forced labor practices in Malaysia successfully. It may be concluded that since the terms of forced labor are not defined in any law in Malaysia it causes ambiguity and difficulties in the application and enforcement of law. Thus, it is very important to carefully understand the intended meaning of a term in the legislation to ensure the extent of labour exploitation or forced labor practice in the Malaysian context.

ABSTRAK

Isu eksploitasi buruh sehingga kini terus mendapat liputan media tempatan dan antarabangsa. Ia adalah salah satu bentuk pemerdagangan orang yang ditempelak masyarakat dunia. Sebagai sebuah negara yang menjadi ahli kepada International Labour Organisation (ILO), isu ini perlu dipandang serius dan dibanteras. Artikel ini bertujuan mengkaji standard perburuhan antarabangsa dan peruntukan undang-undang di Malaysia berkaitan buruh paksa dan pemerdagangan orang dengan menganalisa kerangka perundangan dan isu-isu berkaitan menggunakan metodologi doktrinal dan kajian kepustakaan termasuk analisa beberapa kes-kes yang diputuskan di mahkamah.Walaupun Malaysia mempunyai undang-undang tempatan seperti Akta Anti-Pemerdagangan Orang dan Anti-penyeludupan Migran 2007 (ATIPSOM)[Akta 670] yang mencakupi aspek eksploitasi dan paksaan, begitu juga Akta Kerja 1955 [Akta 265] dan Akta Standard Minimum Perumahan dan Kemudahan Pekerja 1990 [Akta 446], namun terdapat dakwaan bahawa masih terdapat lacuna dalam undang-undang ini dan ianya memerlukan penambahbaikan bagi menangani isu eksploitasi buruh atau amalan buruh paksa di Malaysia dengan jayanya. Dapat disimpulkan bahawa oleh kerana terma buruh paksa tidak didefinisikan dalam mana-mana undang-undang di Malaysia  ia menyebabkan ketidakjelasan dan kesukaran dalam pemakaian dan penguatkuasaan undang-undang. Justeru, amat penting untuk memahami dengan tepat sesuatu terma yang dimaksudkan dalam perundangan bagi memastikan sejauh mana eksploitasi buruh atau amalan buruh paksa dalam konteks negara Malaysia.