THE construction sector has the highest rate of occupational fatalities.

Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) chairman Othman Hashim said the fatal injury rate was 13.44 deaths per 100,000 workers.

Statistics from the Department of Occupational Safety and Health, he said 58 construction. workers died on the job in Malaysia from January to November last year.

The sector also reported 160 cases of non-permanent and four cases of permanent disabilities during the same period.

Othmas said unsafe working environment was among the main causes of work-related deaths.

Forced labour practices are also more common in the construction sector.

“Construction is also the second highest risk sector for forced labour after domestic work,” he said in a keynote address at a Suhakam stakeholder consultation on forced labour issues in the construction Industry  today.

“Despite growing awareness of forced labour and modern slavery practices, there remains a need for better understanding for the business dynamics that surrounds and underpins forced labour within Malaysia.”

Human rights violation can take place during operations; they do not occur in a vacuum, he said.

Othman noted forced labour may not be visible due to the long and multitiered supply chain in the construction sector.

“Employment relationship can be a sign of unequal power dynamics that increase the risk of human rights violation which can increase the risk of forced labour,” he added.

High recruitment fees, debt bondage, deceptive recruitment practices, withholding of passports, long working hours and poor living conditions are practices considered to be forced labour.

“Suhakam has urged the Malaysian government to take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour and to end modern slavery, combat human trafficking as well as to protect labour rights and promote safe and conducive working environment for all workers including migrant workers and those involved in precarious employments,” he said.

He said companies must ensure ongoing due diligence on human rights issues.

Companies can increase the effectiveness of their self-policing by collaborating with civil societies, trade bodies and other partners, he said. – April 9, 2021.