Federal Territories Muda has called for the Human Resources Ministry to act immediately on allegations of over 100 Bangladeshi migrant workers in Cheras stuck in limbo after jobs promised to them failed to materialise.
In a statement, Federal Territories Muda information chief Shah Fariq Aizal Shah Ghazni urged the government to strengthen laws against irresponsible recruitment agencies.
“We call on the Human Resources Ministry to take immediate action and proactive steps in handling the issue.
“Kuala Lumpur, which has just celebrated its 50th anniversary, should not be a syndicate centre that makes sweet promises to foreign workers.
“Confusion on the matter greatly impacts the city’s image as well as potentially creating more ‘mini Dhakas’ in the future,” he said.
Shah Fariq also urged the ministry to be transparent in its methods and plans to handle the issue.
“How will the ministry act in handling such a serious issue that involves irresponsible employers with high recruitment fees, passport confiscation and physical and mental abuse towards foreign workers?” he questioned.
Workers’ ordeal
Migrant rights activist Andy Hall claimed that over 100 Bangladeshi migrant workers have been in limbo in Cheras since arriving in November last year after jobs promised to them failed to materialise.
Hall said in a report that the 104 workers were recruited by a Cheras-based construction company.
According to the report, the workers had paid exorbitant recruitment fees - ranging between RM19,500 and RM21,700 - and were promised good facilities and high-paying jobs.
Most of the workers, the report said, resorted to borrowing money from various sources to afford the fees, subsequently plunging them into significant debt bondage.
It also reported that the workers live in a confined space with only one toilet facility and are provided with insufficient and inadequate food.
The workers also mentioned that they witnessed and experienced physical and verbal abuse by their employers or the company’s representatives.
The workers' passports were also confiscated by their employers upon arrival, leaving them vulnerable and unable to assert their rights or seek help.
It was also reported that the employers had moved 18 workers to Terengganu where the new accommodation housed about 300 workers who are mostly jobless and undocumented.
Hall has since written to the Human Resources Minister Steven Sim and related officials at the Home Ministry to investigate these new allegations and hold those in violation of the law accountable. - Mkini
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