ILO works with Malaysian trade unions to advance workers’ rights and sustainable labour practices

KUALA LUMPUR (ILO News) – ILO is helping enhance the voice and capacity of trade unions in Malaysia to build a stronger foundation for sustainable labour practices.

A workshop titled "Worker-Driven Social Responsibility: Trade unionactions in advancing Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work" took place from 25-26 November 2024 in Kuala Lumpur.

The training, organised by the ILO Joint Project Office in Malaysia in collaboration with trade unions from multiple sectors with an aim to deepen workers' organisations' understanding of the ILO’s Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (FPRW).

These frameworks underscore the importance of collective bargaining and other core labour rights, including freedom from discrimination, safe working environments, and the elimination of forced labour and child labour.

During the event, participants from trade unions and selected Civil Society Organizations engaged in hands-on activities designed to apply these principles in real-world scenarios in different sectors, such as identifying indicators of forced labour as well as implementing fair recruitment and anti-discrimination practices.

“There have been major advances in labour rights in Malaysia over recent decades including the ratification of key conventions on forced labour, occupational safety and child labour. However, workers’ organisations still face challenges due to limited unionisation in the private sector,” said Bharati Pflug, ILO’s Senior Specialist on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. “The training is a step forward in building a strong foundation for sustainable labour practices in Malaysia, supporting trade unions as pivotal agents of positive change,” she added.

A session on the ILO Multinational Enterprise (MNE) Declaration highlighted the importance of responsible business conduct for decent work and the role of trade unions in ensuring human rights due diligence in global supply chains. The importance of engaging with migrant workers so that they can understand and enjoy their labour rights was also highlighted during the workshop.

The event was supported by a number of ILO initiatives namely the Global Accelerator Lab (GALAB), Migrant Workers Empowerment and Advocacy (MWEA), Advancing Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work on Forced Labour and Child Labour in Malaysia (Electrical and Electronics Sector) (ADVANCE) and Building Responsible Value Chain in Asia through the Promotion of Decent Work in Business Operations (RVC-II). Funding support was provided by the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) of Japan.