Forced labour

New employers guide will support Malaysian rubber industry in fight against forced labour

The guide is produced by the Malaysian Rubber Council (MRC) in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and through the support of the European Union. It provides practical guidance to employers in the rubber industry in Malaysia, particularly those employing migrant workers, on how to identify risks of forced labour in the recruitment, employment and sourcing practices, and how to effectively address, prevent and eliminate these risks.

Press release | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | 08 August 2022
Rubber gloves production line. © Shutterstock
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (ILO News) - A new guide will strengthen the efforts of employers to prevent and eliminate forced labour in the Malaysian rubber industry. The guide, entitled “Addressing, preventing and eliminating forced labour in the rubber industry in Malaysia: A practical guide for Malaysian employers” was launched by the Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities, YB Datuk Hajah Zuraida Kamaruddin at an event in Kuala Lumpur today.

The guide is produced by the Malaysian Rubber Council (MRC) in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and through the support of the European Union.

It will assist employers in the Malaysian rubber industry, in particularly those employing migrant workers - on how to identify risks of forced labour in recruitment, employment, and sourcing practices, and how to effectively address, prevent and eliminate these risks.

“This guide forms part of a comprehensive effort to support the Malaysian rubber industry to implement the forced labour policy. Our goal is to foster a more developed and driven future for our beloved Keluarga Malaysia,” said Minister YB Datuk Hajah Zuraida Kamaruddin. “I am confident that the guide will help strengthen efforts to improve the industry's reputation and the nation's standing.”

The guide will help companies understand what forced labour is as well as the international standards, national laws and policies relating to it. It contains guiding principles, due diligence and responsible business conduct, good practices, frequently asked questions and answers on preventing forced labour as well as practical information on developing company policies.

“To avoid forced labour from occurring, this guide will act as a resource to protect employees' rights while supporting Malaysia's business community to eventually enhance workers' productivity,” said Malaysian Rubber Council Chairman, YB Dr Daroyah Alwi.

Supporting the government's mission to educate and raise awareness of forced labour, the Sustainability Division of the MRC in collaboration with the ILO has carried out various awareness raising initiatives. In addition to the guide, a video and training programme for rubber industry stakeholders will also be launched.

Panudda Boonpala, Deputy Regional Director of the ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific remarked, “By investing in decent work and an enabling environment for sustainable enterprises, Malaysia has a unique opportunity to create more and better jobs, increase productivity and skills, and support growth across the rubber glove supply chain. This will ultimately increase its competitiveness in global markets.”

The initiative is a joint effort by the government, businesses, labour unions, civil society, and the ILO.  It is in support of Malaysia's first National Action Plan on Forced Labour as well as Malaysia’s participation as an Alliance 8.7 Pathfinder country to accelerate efforts to end forced labour.

ILO and the European Union are supporting the Malaysian rubber industry through the ‘Sustainable Supply Chains to Build Forward Better’ project. This sets out to strengthen dialogue and promote decent work in Malaysia’s rubber glove supply chain.

“Promoting decent work in global supply chains is a priority of the European Union. We are proud to support Malaysia’s efforts to eradicate forced labour and to improve the working conditions of Malaysians and migrant workers alike,” said His Excellency Michalis Rokas, Ambassador of the European Union to Malaysia. “Apart from remedying obvious human rights issues, these actions will increase Malaysia’s international reputation as a rubber industry leader, facilitate the export of its goods in compliance with international standards and prepare for the upcoming EU legislation in this area.”

About MRC

The Malaysian Rubber Council (MRC), formerly known as Malaysian Rubber Export Promotion Council, was incorporated on 14 April 2000 under the Companies Act 1965 as a company limited by guarantee under the Ministry of Plantation Industries and Commodities (MPIC). MRC is governed by a Board of Trustees appointed by the Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities. MRC is tasked with undertaking market promotion of quality Malaysian rubber and rubber products in world markets. MRC has overseas offices in the US, China, India, Europe and the Middle East. The USA office was set up in Washington DC in February 2001 and serves as a centre of information on Malaysian rubber and rubber products for the American public and end-users. MRC has two offices in China – the Shanghai office was set up in September 2011 and the Guangzhou office in April 2016 with the responsibility to facilitate and assist Malaysian companies seeking to grow their business in China. MRC India was set up in Mumbai in May 2016 to facilitate the export of Malaysian rubber and rubber products and to assist Malaysian companies to grow their business in India. MRC's Europe office is in London which plays an important role to facilitate exports of Malaysian rubber products into Europe by monitoring developments and changes in policies and new regulations concerning the importation and use of rubber products in Europe. MRC’s Middle East office was established in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in September 2021 with the intent to explore and facilitate potential joint ventures, foreign investment and R&D collaborations in the MENA region.

For further information please contact:

Wan Laila, Tel: 0193314145
‘Aisyah ‘Izzati, Tel: 0177391219
Malaysian Rubber Council
Strategic Communications Division

Siu Ming Lee
National Project Coordinator
ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
Sustainable Supply Chains to Build Forward Better
Email: siuming@ilo.org