BACKGROUND

The Department of Labour, Sabah was established during the British North Borneo Company‘s administration in the year 1880s. It was recognized as ‘The Labour Protectorate’ to meet the demand for the importation of immigrant workers from China into the country. When the requirement for such foreign labour force was shifted to migrant workers from Java, Indonesia, this Department was then known as ‘The Protector for Labour’.

Following the aftermath of the Second World War in the middle of the year 1947, steps were taken to restructure the Department and on 1st January, 1948, this Department was then named as the Department of Labor and Immigration. In the beginning of the year 1954, the Department’s functions pertaining to Immigration was then shifted to the Police Department and the Department was then renamed as the Department of Labour and Welfare until early 1968 when the functions of labour and welfare were separated whereby the Department of Labour then existed on its own.

Starting from February 2003 “Jabatan Buruh Sabah” is known as “Jabatan Tenaga Kerja Sabah’ until now.

DEPARTMENTAL BACKGROUND

The Sabah Labour Department is one of the departments and agencies in Sabah under the Ministry of Human Resource Malaysia. It is directly responsible to the Ministry of Human Resource Malaysia in the administration and enforcement of Labour Laws in Sabah.

HEADQUARTER
Kota Kinabalu

DIVISIONAL OFFICES

Kota Kinabalu, Tawau, Sandakan, Keningau , Kudat, Beaufort

BRANCH OFFICES

Lahad Datu, Tenom, Kunak, Kota Kinabatangan, Sipitang, Kota Belud, Kota Marudu, Ranau, Semporna