Labour Department conducts checks on premises employing foreign workers
KUCHING: The Sarawak Labour Department yesterday conducted a special inspection where its personnel checked on premises employing foreign workers.
Its director Awang Raduan Awang Omar said ‘Ops Lesen’ was conducted simultaneously throughout Sarawak, focusing on areas with Licence of Employment of Non- Resident Employees under Section 119 of the Labour Ordinance ( Sarawak Chapter 76).
“A total 70 enforcement officers were involved in the operation, which commenced at 9am – they were inspecting premises that employ foreign workers. The purpose of the operation is to ensure that the employers comply with the law specified under the licensing, which includes the place of employment and nature of jobs as permitted in the licence,” he said when met by reporters at an inspection site here.
Awang Raduan added that the operation was also carried out to ensure compliance by the employers with the Labour Ordinance (Chapter 76) in areas such as the employees’ working hours, days off, public holidays and other relevant laws related to labour.
He stressed that in this special operation, an employer found to have been violating the law – as specified in the licensing – would have their licence revoked, and the employment of those hired under the licensing would also be terminated.
“At the same time, a notice of violation will be issued to the employer to ensure that corrective actions are taken. Failing to comply, an investigation paper will be opened and legal action will be taken against the offender,” he said.
Awang Raduan said last year, the department launched a series of such operations where 439 places of employments were inspected.
He noted that most of the violations were committed under the Labour Ordinance (Sarawak Chapter 76), the National Wages Consultative Council Act 2011 and Workmen’s Compensation Act 1952.
“The department will continuously intensify the special operations this year to improve compliance among employers. It is also to ensure that their employees are aware of their rights under the labour laws,” he pointed out.
Also present was deputy Sarawak Labour Department director Sulaiman Ismail, and the Labour Standard Division head Jamillah Putit.