OPS PINTAS MEGA: 47 HELD, ONE RESCUED IN KERIAN

IPOH, July 18 (Bernama) -- Forty-seven workers from China and Myanmar were detained while one victim was rescued under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 during the Ops Pintas Mega ATIPSOM in Kerian yesterday.

The Department of Labour (JTK) said it also identified six offences under its jurisdiction during the operation.

These included Section 24D of the Workers’ Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities Act 1990 (Act 446), Regulation 4 (1b) and Regulation 4 (1c) of the Employees’ Minimum Standards of Housing, Accommodation and Amenities Regulations 2020.

In addition, offences under Section 24(4) of the Employment Act 1955 for unlawful deductions, Section 25A of the Employment Act 1955 for paying wages in cash without permission from the Director-General of the Department of Labour and Section 60A of the Employment Act 1955 for working hours exceeding 45 hours per week.

"Other offences detected by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) included Section 14 of ATIPSOM, Section 55b of the Immigration Act, Regulation 39b of the Immigration Regulations, Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act, and Section 12(f) of the Passport Act," it said in a statement today.

The Perak JTK said the joint operation with PDRM Perak was on a company involved in recycling waste paper to be used as shoe insoles in Kerian.

Also present was state JTK director Muhamad Fauzi Abd Ghani, who led the operation, which involved 20 officers from the state JTK and 56 police personnel.

The D3 Division of ATIPSOM, the Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the Perak Police Headquarters and the Kerian District Police Headquarters also participated in the operation, which is aimed at eradicating human trafficking activities and forced labour exploitation.

-- BERNAMA