His explanation comes after the ILO placed Malaysia in the “serious failure to submit” category in its Application of International Labour Standards 2021 report.

The ILO said Malaysia had failed repeatedly over the last few years to submit the reports.

It hoped the country would comply with its obligation to submit ILO conventions, recommendations and protocols, with particular reference to Recommendations C198 and C190 pertaining to employment relationships regarding violence and harassment respectively, to “a competent authority”.

Saravanan said the Cabinet had been notified of both the recommendations immediately after they were adopted at the International Labour Conferences in 2006 and 2019.

“The original intention was to submit these instruments at the March 2021 sitting of Parliament to facilitate such reporting at the 2021 ILO Conference, scheduled for June 2021,” he said in a statement to FMT.

“However, this has been put on hold due to the postponement of the Parliament sitting. In the circumstances, it will be tabled at the next sitting.”

Saravanan reaffirmed his ministry’s commitment to ensure strict compliance with the guidelines from ILO.

He said his ministry intended to work with ILO through its “Decent Work Country Programme” on rights at work and labour migration.

“Invariably, this will include engagement sessions, social dialogue and technical discussions on law amendments, forced labour, child labour and protection of migrant workers.”