IN the quest to answer its forced labour practice allegations, Supermax Corp Bhd has rolled out a comprehensive foreign worker management policy which has come into effect from November 2021.
Stating that it takes its compliance issue seriously, the Big-Four glove maker said the foreign worker management policy will speed up the process of meeting the Labour Organization (ILO) standards while ensuring that compliance and best practices are well-adopted in its human resource practices.
“The company is currently in the process of updating the US CBP (Customs and Border Protection) improvements made under its new policies,” Supermax pointed out in a media statement.
“The effectiveness and implementation of these policies will be inspected by different levels of on-going audits with at least two auditing processes and two additional US-based auditors which will conduct analysis and monitoring against the ILO 11 forced labour indicators.”
The 11 forced labour indicators are abuse of vulnerability, deception, restriction of movement, isolation, physical and sexual violence, intimidation and threats, retention of identity documents, withholding of wages, debt bondage, abusive working and living conditions, and excessive overtime.
Supermax said it may be among the first in the industry to adopt an equal pay and benefit structure for foreign workers here in Malaysia. This would mean both local and foreign workers – including workers of on-site vendors – are now on equal footing when receiving pay and benefits.
“Along with the implementation of these new policies, Supermax has proactively raised its minimum wage to RM1,400 to be applied across all categories. (the current minimum wage set under the Malaysian Employment Regulations is at RM1,200),” noted the company.
“These measures have been adopted in the month of December 2021 for all workers directly employed under Supermax and its subsidiaries and will be effective for workers of on-site vendors starting January 2022.”
Additionally, several measures to improve working and living conditions are currently in progress which includes major refurbishment to its hostel facilities that will provide workers with adequate privacy.
“New facilities to improve leisure and lifestyle elements of workers have also been added to the company’s existing modern dormitory. Refurbishment and renovation work are currently on-going and will be expected to complete by mid of February 2022,’ revealed Supermax.
“Workers will soon get to enjoy the new added facilities which will include a designated smoking area, ATM facilities, canteen and dining improvements, and other amenities.”
A series of engagement sessions with all its migrant workers will is also scheduled for this month as the company rolls out the revised employment handbook and employment contracts that will be in line with the revised and new policies introduced. – Jan 3, 2021
