By : Iridiani Mohd Salleh
Some of the hunderds of Bangladeshi workers who gathered in front of Stadium Merdeka yesterday.
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KUALA LUMPUR: It took 779 allegedly exploited Bangladeshis to resort to boarding a convoy of 27 buses to compel the authorities to provide them with job security and proper pay.
Unhappy with their wages and accommodation provided by employers, the Bangladeshis came all the way from Batu Pahat to meet their high commissioner here yesterday.
The workers of four textile factories left Batu Pahat about 1am and were directed by the police here to gather in front of Stadium Merdeka.
The group, aged between 21 and 45, claimed that they were paid about RM200 a month and were not given a proper place to stay.
Mohamad Yunus Bacheo, 23, said they had paid between RM10,000 and RM12,000 each to their agents in Bangladesh and were promised a salary of RM1,200 a month.
"We were asked to work 12 hours a day without being given any rest day. About 400 of us were put in a house of about 1,500 sq ft," he said, adding that they came to Malaysia since January in stages.
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Immigration Department director-general Datuk Wahid Md Don said that after a meeting with representatives of the workers, the Bangladesh High Commission, Human Resources Ministry and the police, the workers were given the option of going back to Bangladesh or continue working at the factories.
"For those who want to go back to Batu Pahat and continue working there, we will ask the employers to pay their full salary that they've been promised and provide proper accommodation for the workers.
"For those who opt to go back to their country, the Immigration Department will make all the arrangements and bear the expenses involved."
He added the workers were also given an option of working in other factories or companies, but he informed them that it would take a longer time to make the necessary arrangements.
The workers who want to go home and those who want to work in other companies will be temporarily placed at a depot.
"We will also take action against the employers if they are found to have flouted the law or agreements with the workers."
He added that it was the first time such a case was reported to the department.
KUALA LUMPUR: It took 779 allegedly exploited Bangladeshis to resort to boarding a convoy of 27 buses to compel the authorities to provide them with job security and proper pay.
Unhappy with their wages and accommodation provided by employers, the Bangladeshis came all the way from Batu Pahat to meet their high commissioner here yesterday.
The workers of four textile factories left Batu Pahat about 1am and were directed by the police here to gather in front of Stadium Merdeka.
The group, aged between 21 and 45, claimed that they were paid about RM200 a month and were not given a proper place to stay.
Mohamad Yunus Bacheo, 23, said they had paid between RM10,000 and RM12,000 each to their agents in Bangladesh and were promised a salary of RM1,200 a month.
"We were asked to work 12 hours a day without being given any rest day. About 400 of us were put in a house of about 1,500 sq ft," he said, adding that they came to Malaysia since January in stages.
Immigration Department director-general Datuk Wahid Md Don said that after a meeting with representatives of the workers, the Bangladesh High Commission, Human Resources Ministry and the police, the workers were given the option of going back to Bangladesh or continue working at the factories.
"For those who want to go back to Batu Pahat and continue working there, we will ask the employers to pay their full salary that they've been promised and provide proper accommodation for the workers.
"For those who opt to go back to their country, the Immigration Department will make all the arrangements and bear the expenses involved."
He added the workers were also given an option of working in other factories or companies, but he informed them that it would take a longer time to make the necessary arrangements.
The workers who want to go home and those who want to work in other companies will be temporarily placed at a depot.
"We will also take action against the employers if they are found to have flouted the law or agreements with the workers."
He added that it was the first time such a case was reported to the department.
