Bangladeshi workers win RM1mil in unpaid wages

 

More than 170 Bangladeshi migrant workers were arrested in Pengerang, Johor, in December after taking part in a march to file a police report after claiming they were duped into coming to Malaysia for non-existent jobs. (Facebook pic)

PETALING JAYA: The 733 Bangladeshi migrant workers duped into coming to Pengerang, Johor, for jobs that did not exist were awarded more than RM1 million in unpaid wages by the Johor labour department on Monday.

In a statement, the human resources ministry said the workers and their employers reached a mutual agreement for the total payment of RM1,035,557.50 in wages to the workers, who will now be placed with new employers through an initiative facilitated by the labour department.

Based on FMT’s calculations, this payout amounts to an average of RM1,412 per worker.

Previously, human resources minister Steven Sim said 751 Bangladeshi migrant workers duped into coming to Pengerang for jobs that did not exist had filed a RM2.21 million claim for unpaid wages from their employers.

“This is a landmark case that will serve as a reference for labour cases in the future,” said the ministry.

“This case involves foreign workers who were legally brought in to Malaysia but were not provided with employment upon their arrival in the country, and were then neglected.

“Employers found guilty of this will be blacklisted by the authorities, and their quotas for foreign workers will be cancelled.”

The ministry added that it will not compromise with any party that violates labour laws, adding that it is committed to ensuring the welfare of workers in Malaysia.

The workers had filed claims for unpaid wages as they were not provided with jobs after entering the country.

The ministry reminded employers that they were responsible for paying workers’ wages if they were brought into Malaysia, noting that Sim had also made this clear when commenting on the case on Jan 16.

FMT has reached out to the ministry for clarification on the discrepancy.

It is understood that 171 of these 751 workers were arrested by police in Pengerang in December after taking part in a march to file a police report after claiming they were duped into coming to Malaysia for non-existent jobs.

Kota Tinggi police chief Hussin Zamora previously said the migrants entered the country legally but did not get any work for about three to six months. - FMT