Malaysia plans strengthened response to forced labour

Kuala Lumpur (ILO News) – Malaysia is strengthening its response to forced labour through the development of the country’s next National Action Plan on Forced Labour (NAP-FL) for the period 2026-2030.

A workshop organized by the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) on 20-21 November 2025 with technical support from the International Labour Organization (ILO), brought together representatives of government, employers’, workers’ and civil society to review the draft plan.

Aimed at driving Malaysia toward meeting its goal of eliminating forced labour by 2030, the plan includes renewed commitments to prevention, stronger governance of labour migration and recruitment, improved enforcement and compliance systems, and expanded protection and remedy for victims, including migrant workers.

Participants discussed the main elements of the draft plan and also examined proposals for a strengthened governance structure to support coordinated implementation in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak.

The Ministry of Human Resources underlined the Government’s determination to build on the first NAP-FL (2021–2025) and to keep forced labour high on the national agenda.

“The action plan that will be developed for 2026–2030 must be proactive, effective and commit to the nation’s aspiration of eliminating forced labour by 2030,” said Rafea'ah Binti Nahar, Undersecretary of the Policy Division, Ministry of Human Resources.

The ILO underscored that Malaysia’s efforts are anchored in its obligations under the ILO Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) and its 2014 Protocol, and relevant international labour standards.

“The draft Plan is the result of a comprehensive and inclusive process, that reflects the strength of Malaysia’s approach and the belief that sustainable change is only possible when everyone is part of the solution,” said Tuomo Poutiainen, Deputy Regional Director of the ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific. “Through collective action, we are building a future where forced labour is consigned to history.”

Following the workshop, the Ministry of Human Resources will consolidate inputs into a revised draft NAP-FL 2026–2030, which will be shared with the relevant ministries and agencies before being submitted to the Cabinet for approval. The ILO will continue to support Malaysia in implementing the plan, and in meeting its commitments under international labour standards, including ILO Convention 29 and its Protocol of 2014.

The workshop was supported by Advancing Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (ADVANCE) project funded by the Government of Canada alongside several ILO technical cooperation initiatives: the Building Responsible Value Chains in Asia through the Promotion of Decent Work in Business Operations project (Phase II), funded by Japan; the EU-funded Ship to Shore Rights South-East Asia programme; the EU-funded PROTECT project; and the EU-funded initiative Enhanced Access to Education for Children and Training Opportunities for Youth on Plantations in Sabah, implemented in partnership with UNICEF.