10. ISSUES INVOLVING WORKERS IN MEDICAL SUPPLY AND PLANTATION SECTOR
SUHAKAM received a complaint from North South Initiative (NSI), an NGO,
that about 2000 migrant workers from Nepal and Bangladesh went on strike
after their employer, WRP Asia Pacific Sdn Bhd (manufacturers of surgical
examination, high risk and multipurposes gloves company) decided to
withhold their salaries. The migrant workers claimed that salaries had not
been paid since November 2019. NSI was concerned these migrant workers
would be sent home without receiving payment. SUHAKAM also came to
know that Top Glove Corporation Bhd, a global supplier of medical and
rubber gloves, has been accused of mistreating migrant workers, allegedly
subjecting them to forced labour and forced overtime.
With regard to workers in the plantation sector, SUHAKAM noted the
allegations of human rights violation made by the US Customs and
Border Protection (CBP) agency against FGV and Sime Darby Plantation,
the world’s largest crude palm oil producers. The US agency claimed its
investigation into human rights abuse allegations revealed signs of forced
labour, such as deception, physical and sexual violence, intimidation and
threats, and retention of identity documents. Further, the agency raised
concerns that forced child labour was potentially being employed in the
production processes. It urged the US government to immediately ban the
import of FGV and Sime Darby Plantation products.
As part of its investigation, SUHAKAM met the management of both the
companies, the NGO who submitted the report to the US agency and
the plantation union in Malaysia. SUHAKAM also conducted a discussion
with unions representing plantation workers, NGOs and a body called
Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) to discuss about forced labour
and child labour issues in plantation sector.
11. MEETING WITH EMBASSIES IN MALAYSIA
As a collective process to investigate and resolve human rights violation
issues related to migrants in Malaysia, SUHAKAM met with the embassies of
Indonesia, Philippines, Nepal and India. Some of the issues discussed relate
to deportation procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic for migrant
workers in Malaysia, the death of migrants in places of detention and the
treatment of employers towards migrant workers.
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ANNUAL REPORT 2020