KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government hopes the amendments to the Sabah Labour Ordinance Bill will receive unanimous support from members of parliament.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the Sabah Labour Ordinance (Amendment) Bill 2024 was first tabled by the human resources minister at the Third Session of Parliament on July 17 this year.
"I hope that the second reading of this amendment, scheduled for the Fourth Parliamentary Session in October, will be unanimously supported by all MPs.
"I am confident that the amendments to the Labour Ordinance (Sabah Chapter 67) will benefit both employers and employees in Sabah by providing clearer and more structured guidelines to foster a harmonious and conducive industrial relationship," Hajiji said at the launch of the 2024 Convention on Combating Human Trafficking and Forced Labour Crimes at the Sabah International Convention Centre here.
Hajiji said the state government fully endorsed the amendments to the bill, adding that one of the 16 proposed changes addressed human and labour rights, including the elimination of discrimination.
The amendments will impose penalties on employers or any party involved in human trafficking, forced labour and child labour practices.
Hajiji said this aligned with the government's role in ratifying the International Labour Organisation's (ILO) Protocol 29, demonstrating the nation's commitment to eradicate forced labour.
He said it was crucial to tackle human trafficking and forced labour crimes wisely within existing policies and legal framework to prevent them from becoming issues at the state and international levels.
He reaffirmed the state government's commitment to combat these crimes, acknowledging the need for strong cooperation and coordination between state and federal government agencies, non-governmental organisations and local authorities.
Sabah's strategic location, bordering countries like Indonesia and the Philippines, facilitates cross-border movement, making the state vulnerable to migration, human trafficking and forced labour activities.
Hajiji recognised the crucial role of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Council (Mapo), led by the Home Ministry, in combating these crimes.
He called for enhanced cooperation between the state government and federal agencies, especially those under Mapo, to ensure effective enforcement, protection and prevention measures.