PRESS STATEMENT
1 ST MARCH 2006
IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT URGED TO HELP 400 FOREIGN WORKERS LET DOWN BY THEIR EMPLOYERS
More than 50 workers camping outside the Indian High Commission were arrested by RELA members last night. It is learned that they are being detained at the Foreign Workers detention camp in Lenggeng.
These workers are here with valid permit and they all have legitimate grievances against their employers for non payment of wages.
We cannot understand why RELA should be involved in this matter. Rightly the Director General of Labour should intervene to ensure compliance of the Employment Act.
Immigration Department urged to intervene to help out the 400 foreign workers let down by several Johore and Selangor based companies. About 170 workers are camping outside the Indian High Commission in Jalan Duta, Kuala Lumpur for more than 30 days. They have been sleeping in the open under hot sun and rain, eagerly awaiting assistance from the Indian High Commission.
Most of them came to Malaysia 2 months ago with duly approved work permit to work as operators, drivers and general workers at:-
They did not receive any salary for the first month’s work and the whole of second month they were not given any work.
Many of the workers claim that they paid their agents in India as much as RM7000 to RM8000 for permits, airfare and other expenses. As a result they have incurred heavy debts.
Immigration Department should investigate and black list these employers and ban them from recruiting any foreign workers in the future.
Immigration Department should issue new work permits to enable them to work with other employers for the rest of the contract period.
Immigration Department cannot shirk their responsibility by taking the easy way out and deport them or detain them at the illegal workers detention camp.
MTUC wants to meet the Minister for Home Affairs YB Dato’ Radzi b. Sheikh Ahmad to discuss this perennial problem which seriously affects the image of Malaysia.
(G. RAJASEKARAN)
Secretary General