Training for Malaysian inspectors on forced labour, child labour and gender-based discrimination, violence and harassment in the workplace

This manual aims at improving the capacity of the labour inspectorate to respond to the most urgent needs for the protection of workers’ rights on forced labour, child labour and gender-based discrimination, violence and harassment in the workplace. This manual will also contribute to Malaysia’s adherence to core ILO Conventions and other international human rights standards.

The proper application of labour legislation and the FPRW is highly dependent on an effective labour inspectorate. Labour inspectors investigate and enforce national labour standards at work, and advise employers and workers on how to improve the application of national law in such areas as working time, wages, occupational safety and health (OSH), child labour and other areas that are enforceable by labour inspectors. Labour inspectors also bring to the notice of national authorities’ the gaps in national laws as they apply in the field.

The three training modules in this manual focus on: (1) forced labour; (2) child labour; and (3) gender-based discrimination, violence and harassment in the workplace. The manual was developed to be a practical tool. For each topic, key terms are defined, and the issues of identification of legal violations and actions to undertake are discussed. The manual is based on the mandate of the labour inspectorate and the national legal frameworks, and provides case studies, tips and good practices on particular topics for each module. International standards are referred to in relevant sections.