It was supposed to be a typical workday at Megasteel Sdn Bhd in Banting – the warm morning breeze intermingled with the regular clanking of hot rolled coils being produced from its steel mill.

The rhythm, however, was interrupted when a group of laid-off employees appeared and picketed in front of Megasteel’s gleaming office today.

The picketers carried placards with messages such as “We don’t want to be laid off”, “We want compensation”, “Megasteel is being cruel” and even a “Please help us, Prime Minister Najib”.