KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia’s largest electronics manufacturing service provider was found to have committed labour offences during last month’s raid on its factory in Johor.
The Labour Department of Peninsular Malaysia said in a statement that action is currently being taken by the state division, in accordance with the provisions of the law.
The department however did not name the factory in its statement, and denied a news report by a local portal that there was a raid conducted last Friday.
A spokesman for the Labour Department told The Vibes that it is in the midst of finalising its investigation before submitting a report to the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) for further action.
“I can’t reveal more. All I can say is that yes, there were offences committed by the factory. We leave it up to the AGC to decide (on the action),” she said.
She added that the raid was conducted during the first half of May, when Muslims across the country were observing the fasting month.
The officer did not confirm that the raid was conducted based on a tip-off when asked, but said raids are normally done either following complaints lodged by the public or insiders (workers), or through the department’s own intelligence.
Meanwhile, United Kingdom-based Sunday Mirror had last Sunday alleged that an electronics factory in Johor Baru had been exploiting foreign workers, based on interviews it did with some of the staffers.
Among other things, the article alleged that workers clocked up to 186 hours of overtime a month on top of the standard 48-hour working week, and shared rooms with 60 occupants.
The factory was reported to be producing and delivering parts to a British company specialising in household appliances.
The company that runs the Johor Baru factory, which also ships goods to the United States, is also under investigation by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) over alleged labour conditions.
If the claims are proven true, CBP said it will “issue a Withhold Release Order”. – The Vibes, June 22, 2021
