All publications: Malaysia

Labour inspection practices for domestic work in ASEAN

Promising practices in labour inspection in the context of domestic work in ASEAN

This paper highlights promising practices in labour inspection in the context of domestic work, considering the role of gender-responsive policies in responding to the short- and longer-term impact of the COVID-19 crisis.

Research Brief

Disability rights and domestic work in ASEAN

In 2023 the ILO TRIANGLE in ASEAN programme conducted a study about the skills and working conditions of migrant domestic workers in Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, the findings from which were published in the report Skilled to care, forced to...

Feasibility study

Fact sheet of the Feasibility Study on Policy Measures to Support Local Workforce into Employment

The project focuses on strengthening the labour market through organizational capacity by introducing or enhancing the national employment policies or programmes in Malaysia.

Organizing domestic workers

Talking to trade unions/ affiliates/ members about domestic work

This guide, developed in conjunction with the ASEAN Trade Union Council, equips advocates and champions to answer the questions often heard when talking to trade unions and trade union members about organizing more domestic workers and working...

Organizing domestic workers

Talking to policy makers / politicians about domestic work

This guide, developed in conjunction with the ASEAN Trade Union Council, equips advocates and champions to answer the questions often heard when talking to parliamentarians and policy makers about improving protection for domestic workers. It also...

Organizing domestic workers

Talking to service providers about domestic work

This guide, developed in conjunction with the ASEAN Trade Union Council, equips advocates and champions to answer the questions often heard when talking to service providers about improving their services for domestic workers. It also gives the...

TRIANGLE in ASEAN

The ASEAN Forum on Migrant Labour: A review of the implementation of Recommendations (3rd to 14th Forums)

This report is the sixth in a series of progress review background papers, biennially prepared by the ILO’s TRIANGLE in ASEAN programme, that track the progress of ASEAN stakeholders in implementing recommendations adopted at previous AFMLs.

ILO-UK Skills for Prosperity in South-East Asia Programme

Financing mechanisms for promoting social inclusion in skills and lifelong learning systems: Global overview of current practices and...

The report analyses pros and cons of practices around the world, shedding light on the policy options to improve access to and participation in skills development and lifelong learning of disadvantaged people.

Policy Brief

Impacts of the chemical and pharmaceutical industries on the environment and working conditions in Malaysia: Capacity-building of workers’...

This policy brief has been developed through research done as part of a project aimed at building the capacity of trade unions concerning the ILO Guidelines for a Just Transition and encouraging them to launch campaigns aimed at securing a safe,...

TRIANGLE in ASEAN

Resumption of labour migration and regional cooperation

Thematic background paper for the 15th ASEAN Forum on Migrant Labour

Policy Brief

Minimum wage response to COVID-19 and inflation crises: An Asia-Pacific region overview

This policy brief presents a comprehensive analysis of nominal and real minimum wages in the Asia-Pacific region from 2015 to 2022, taking into account the impact of inflation on the purchasing power of workers. Concentrating on 22 countries with...

Domestic workers

Skilled to care, forced to work? Recognizing the skills profiles of migrant domestic workers in ASEAN amid forced labour and exploitation

This study presents up-to-date findings on the lived experiences of migrant domestic workers in Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. It takes a quantitative and qualitative approach to understanding the skills profiles of migrant domestic workers...

ILO Working paper 91

Jobs and global supply chains in South-East Asia

South-East Asia has become a key player in global supply chains (GSCs) during recent decades, and the region’s participation in GSCs has had a profound impact on labour markets. The region has become increasingly dependent on GSCs for employment...

Social security

ILO Regional Actuarial Services Unit Annual Report 2022: Report on activities from 1 January to 31 December 2022

Annual report of the ILO Regional Actuarial Services Unit (RASU). The Unit provides actuarial and investment technical support for social security institutions in the region. This work includes actuarial valuations, policy analysis, training,...

Fair and ethical recruitment

Regional operational guidelines on fair and ethical recruitment in ASEAN. Improving regulation and enforcement: A resource for regulators

The regional operational guidelines provide guidance to government regulators on fair recruitment practices, licensing private recruitment agencies, monitoring recruitment processes, and acting on complaints related to the recruitment process....

Protecting the Rights of Migrant Workers through Empowerment and Advocacy

Migrant Workers Empowerment and Advocacy (MWEA) project aims to ensure that the rights of migrant workers are protected in Malaysia.

Achieving fair and ethical recruitment: Improving regulation and enforcement in the ASEAN region

This report focuses on the efforts of ASEAN Member States to foster fair and ethical recruitment. It maps the laws and regulations, and moreover, the enforcement mechanisms States have employed, and reviews evidence of the results achieved.

Workers' rights

STRATEGY: To promote freedom of association in the palm oil sector

This campaign strategy document is developed by the Malaysian Trades Union Congress with a view to promoting freedom of association in the palm oil sector, as well as increasing trade union membership among local and migrant workers in the sector in...

Women's entrepreneurship development

Rebuilding Better: Fostering Business Resilience Post-COVID-19 Project: Supporting Women Entrepreneurs in South-East Asia: Results at a...

Green jobs

ASEAN: The Employment - Environment - Climate Nexus: Employment and environmental sustainability factsheet

The Employment-Environment-Climate Nexus Factsheets are a series produced for countries in the Asia-Pacific region. This Factsheet provides key features of labour market and environmental sustainability performance in ASEAN, as well as vulnerability...