In our list of NGOs & help organisations near Senai/Johor Bahru, Tenaganita stands out as the most relevant organisation for exploitation, discrimination, or human trafficking cases. This article gives you the fuller picture — what exactly they do and how to reach them.
Who Tenaganita Is
Tenaganita (meaning "Women's Force") was founded in 1991 and is one of Malaysia's oldest and most respected human rights organisations. Its core focus is protecting the rights of women, migrant workers, and refugees who face exploitation, discrimination, and human trafficking.
They're not just a complaints desk — Tenaganita also does public policy advocacy, helps trafficking victims access rehabilitation and the justice system, and runs worker-rights education for migrant communities.
Services Offered
- Migrant worker rights complaint desk — if an employer withholds your passport, doesn't pay wages as contracted, imposes forced labour, or breaches promised work conditions.
- Trafficking & exploitation case assistance — including helping victims understand their rights under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, and referrals to the correct authorities.
- 24-hour emergency hotline — for urgent situations (e.g. passport confiscation, being confined and prevented from leaving a house/dormitory, threats).
- Support for women workers and refugees facing discrimination or gender-based violence.
- Policy advocacy — Tenaganita also speaks publicly on government policy around migrant workers, though this isn't a direct service to individuals.
How to Contact Tenaganita
| Channel | Details | |---|---| | Office (business hours) | +603 7770 3671 / +603 7770 3691 | | 24-hour emergency hotline | +6012 335 0512 / +6012 339 5350 | | Email | general@tenaganita.net | | Address | 12, Jalan 6/11, 46000 Petaling Jaya, Selangor | | Office hours | Mon–Fri, 9:30am–6:00pm (closed weekends & public holidays) | | Website | tenaganita.net |
Important: Tenaganita's main office is in Petaling Jaya, Selangor — not in Johor Bahru or Senai. For any emergency or complaint, the practical route is to call the hotline/office or email directly; you don't need to visit in person to file an initial complaint.
When to Contact Tenaganita vs. JTK?
Many workers get confused about when to contact Tenaganita versus the Johor Bahru Labour Department (JTK). Quick guide:
- Late/unpaid wages, unpaid overtime, ordinary contract breaches → JTK Johor Bahru (government department, official complaint channel)
- Passport confiscation, movement restriction, forced labour, threats, signs of human trafficking → Tenaganita (human-rights NGO, more focused on serious exploitation cases)
Both can be contacted at the same time if your situation involves both kinds of issues.
Source
The information above is verified from Tenaganita's official website (tenaganita.net/contact-us) and their "Tenaganita Society" page. If any details change, please refer to their official website for the latest information.
As a room-rental landlord in Senai, we encourage tenants facing any worker-rights problem not to stay silent. WhatsApp us at +60 12-708 8789 if you need help finding a safe room or aren't sure who to turn to — we'll try to point you in the right direction.
