Labour rights activists have condemned the government’s latest postponement of a move requiring employers to fully absorb costs for their foreign workers' levy.

Kuala Langat MP Abdullah Sani Abdul Hamid claimed the move only confirmed Malaysia’s status as a country that practises “modern day human trading”.

“Why is the government bowing to demands from employers?

“Why the delay? Now it is confirmed we are a country that practices human trading, a modern ‘indentured labour’ system,” he said when contacted.

“The employers are demanding for foreign labour, so they must be made to pay (the levy). Why is the government afraid?,” questioned Abdullah Sani who is former Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) acting president.