Kawaguchi workers ‘forced’ to relocate, claims activist

 

Most of the affected foreign workers have moved out of a hostel where they have been staying. (Andy Hall pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

A large number of foreign workers at Kawaguchi Manufacturing Sdn Bhd who have not received their wages for seven months have been “forced” to accept jobs at other companies, claims human rights activist Andy Hall.

He told FMT that the workers were interviewed yesterday by at least six companies at the firm’s factory in Port Klang, but were in no position to negotiate the terms of their employment.

Hall claimed the workers had signed certain documents, believed to be employment contracts, but had yet to be given copies.

Andy Hall.

“The workers have not been given the terms and conditions of employment, and no other information has been made available,” he said, adding that the workers were left without any option but to take up whatever employment was given to them.

Hall said most of the affected workers were assigned jobs with various companies and were asked to leave their hostel on the same day.

He said a total of 82 workers were assigned to a plantation company in Cameron Highlands, and were expected to be transported to their new workplace today.

Only 18 workers have remained at their hostel in Port Klang, waiting for a flight back to Bangladesh.

“They (companies and authorities) came (yesterday) morning. We were shocked. We do not know what companies they are being sent to work for, or what their contracts and salaries are like,” said Hall.

He also claimed he had managed to get three internationally certified electronics and glove manufacturing companies to send official requests to the labour department expressing interest in taking in the displaced workers, but that the requests had not been acted on.

Hall said the workers were in fear of being exploited all over again.

“They are not comfortable taking on their new jobs as no agreement papers have been provided,” he said, but added that the workers did not appear to have a choice in the matter.

On Dec 18, it was reported that Kawaguchi had agreed to pay its 251 foreign employees their overdue salaries with the Putrajaya labour office agreeing to arrange for them to be employed by other companies.

The company reached the decision five days after the workers held a peaceful protest outside the factory in Port Klang to demand the salaries owed to them.

FMT has attempted to reach out to human resources minister Steven Sim for clarification. - FMT