Human resources minister M Saravanan said a working committee would be formed to exchange information and formulate policies that could support the country’s initiatives towards combating forced labour.

It would meet every three months.

Saravanan, who is on a working visit to Washington, said CBP officials were also expected to undertake a working visit to Malaysia at the end of this month and hold a workshop with industry players.

“The workshop will shed light on matters related to elements of forced labour that should be avoided by industry players so that their products will not be banned from entering the US market,” he said in a statement.

He said his working visit had opened up opportunities for bilateral cooperation in curbing forced labour as well as being a platform for the US to better understand the challenges faced by Malaysia in tackling forced labour and child labour issues.

“The US deeply appreciates the Malaysian government’s efforts and is ready to continue its strategic cooperation in combating forced labour,” he said.

Saravanan said he had met with CBP executive assistant commissioner AnnMarie Highsmith and US labour department deputy undersecretary for international affairs Thea Lee.

He said he had shared the initiatives of the human resources ministry in addressing nearly all forced labour indicators listed by the International Labour Organization (ILO) such as retention of identity documents, excessive overtime and withholding of wages.

Saravanan said the US labour department had agreed to share its expertise in technology transfer, capability building and apprentice programmes.

The department also suggested that Malaysia provide exposure to workers on the importance of trade unions, he said, adding that this was in line with the amendments to the Trade Unions Act 1959, to be tabled in Parliament in July.