No compromise on JB firm over unpaid wages, says labour dept

 The department says strict enforcement action will continue to ensure that the rights and welfare of workers are fully protected.

The migrant workers alleged that Esstar Vision Sdn Bhd owed them between three and eight months of back pay.

PETALING JAYA:

 The labour department says it remains committed to firm enforcement action against a Johor Bahru company that has yet to settle more than RM335,000 in unpaid wages owed to its workers.

The labour department said it will not compromise with any employer who fails to comply with the law or defies court orders.

“Strict enforcement action will continue to ensure that the rights and welfare of workers are fully protected,” it said in a statement.

Earlier today, FMT reported that Esstar Vision Sdn Bhd denied claims that it refused to pay the outstanding salaries owed to about 50 migrant workers.

Its spokesman Law Yuk Hui said the company has commenced partial payments and is still discussing the matter with the affected workers.

The company is committed to resolving the matter “responsibly and in accordance with Malaysian law” and would continue to cooperate fully with the authorities.

Law was responding to complaints by about 50 Bangladeshi workers, who alleged that the issue of their unpaid wages had yet to be resolved despite intervention by the human resources ministry and the state labour department.

One worker, who wanted to be known only as Md Rubel and spoke on behalf of the migrant workers, alleged that the company owed them between three and eight months of back pay.

Rubel also said that despite informing the Bangladesh high commission several times of the workers’ plight, their problems have not been resolved.

The labour department today said a court had ordered Esstar Vision to pay RM449,356.61 in outstanding wages in two instalments. However, the company had only paid part of the amount and still owed RM335,556.61.

It said the case involved 93 local and foreign workers who had filed claims with the Labour Court over unpaid salaries amounting to RM659,287.55.

It also said that a total of 21 investigation papers have been opened against the employer for offences such as delayed wage payments. Some cases have concluded, while the remainder are under further action and review by the prosecution.

The department said it contacted the Bangladesh high commission to ensure the welfare of affected foreign workers is protected and that proper assistance could be channelled to them.

“At the same time, the employer has been instructed to immediately restore clean water supply to the workers’ hostel and to ensure full compliance with the Minimum Standards of Housing, Accommodation and Employee Facilities Act 1990. - FMT