The management of glove maker WRP Asia Pacific Sdn Bhd today revealed that among its staff include 1,178 migrant workers whose permits were in the name of liquidated companies affiliated to a former company board member.
Despite the workers' irregular status, lawyers acting on behalf of the current management confirmed that all claims for outstanding wages will be fully paid by next week.
"With this quick action to start making payments to the workers, we are walking the talk on reviving WRP.
"This includes settling the outstanding salaries due to over 1,178 foreign workers who had been irregularly employed (by WRP)...," said Mathew Thomas Philip, founder and manager of Thomas Philip Advocates and Solicitors, in a statement today.
Sources said the workers were originally employed by two companies and their permits have remained in the name of the two liquidated companies, resulting in their current limbo and irregular employment status with WRP Asia.
Contrary to its statement today, Malaysiakini understands that an independent audit commissioned by WRP Asia last year recorded 1,603 migrant workers in its employment.
From the figure, Bangladesh and Nepali citizens make up 75 percent of the workers, according to a copy of the audit report sighted by Malaysiakini.
The audit report also stated that 1,066 of the workers were supplied to WRP Asia by two contractors, which sources said, were the same liquidated companies referred to in the lawyer's statement.
International migrant worker rights specialist Andy Hall, who has been closely monitoring developments at WRP Asia, said the revelation today has raised even bigger questions that must be answered as part over labour law reforms.
"Finally it has been admitted that 1,178 irregular workers are currently employed at WRP.
"Now the questions have to be asked of those in power, how has this been allowed to happen? he said.
"The government were clearly aware, and the auditors were also aware.
"These workers are at high risk of forced labour," he added.
Many outstanding issues
Meanwhile, Thomas Philip reiterated the management's commitment to revive its operations which has been temporarily suspended since Dec 30.
"While all parties want matters sorted urgently, there are many outstanding issues created by the previous management that will take time to uncover and resolve.
"This is to be expected during such corporate exercises and we will not let the numerous rumours and resistance distract us from the real work.
"We have to be focused on the future now that we have begun the challenging task of rebuilding the company," Thomas Philip said.
He added that WRP's management is also in talks to resolve matters including payment of utilities due, renegotiating payment terms with creditors and rescheduling deliverables to existing customers.
Sources told Malaysiakini that the outstanding electricity bill due on Tuesday stands at RM4.1 million.
In January 2019, WRP Asia Pacific workers held a three-day strike demanding their wages.
In October last year, the US Customs and Borders banned WRP Asia Pacific from exporting its products to the United States over suspicion of forced labour.
Human Resources Minister M Kulasegaran previously said the ministry is closely monitoring developments at WRP Asia, including to ensure compliance with all requirements under the employment laws. - Mkini
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