KUALA LUMPUR: The number of victims of human trafficking and labour exploitation rescued has shown a downward trend since 2023 until May, reflecting the effectiveness of various enforcement and prevention efforts implemented by the government.
Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan said data from the Manpower Department showed 70 victims were rescued in 2023, decreasing to 10 in 2024, before increasing to 17 in 2025 and only four as of May this year.
"We can be a little satisfied because the number of reported cases is decreasing, but there may be things that we do not see (not reported), so we cannot take it lightly," he said on Monday (June 22).
Khairul Firdaus said that from January to May this year, a total of 386 enforcement operations related to labour had been carried out nationwide, and of that total, 311 investigation papers had been opened.
He added that the government was committed to implementing the agenda to combat forced labour in line with the protocols ratified under the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
The comments were made at the closing of the National Synergy Seminar on Preventing and Eradicating Human Trafficking and Labour Exploitation in the Central Zone 2026 here, which are a series of national awareness tours to provide exposure, education and information on human trafficking and labour exploitation.
The Central Zone programme follows the organisation of seminars in the North Zone in Sungai Petani, Kedah, on May 18 and the South Zone in Kluang, Johor, on June 8.
"Overall, almost 1,000 participants participated in this seminar to share views, suggestions and together ensure that this issue can be addressed as soon as possible," he said. – Bernama
