Forty six coal miners from the Pantu sub-district in Sri Aman are crying foul over being laid-off without proper notice nor having compensation paid to them.

The group of men from the Iban longhouses near the Silantek coal mine have been working in the area from between three to 17 years but were informed after receiving their salaries in April that they would be terminated.

"We were shocked because there was no prior notice given to us," group spokesperson Masir anak Lidang, 49, of Kampung Punggu, Pantu, told malaysiakini during a press conference organised by Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (Sadia) yesterday.

Masir said the mine operations owner Inter-Island Enterprise Sdn Bhd's only reason for terminating their services was that the mine was closing down.

To their dismay, they later found out that the company had engaged 80 new foreign workers to take their place, where they had previously earned about RM800 montly.

Sadia secretary-general Nicholas Munjah said when the company first obtained their lease several decades ago, there was an agreement with the Iban community that locals would be prioritised for employment.

"Obviously, the Ibans feel the company has failed to honour their words," he added.

No lay-off wage

According to Nicholas, the Iban community leaders had met Industrial Relations department and the company representatives on June 16 to resolve the matter, but to no avail.

During the meeting, the company's representative claimed that all retrenched staff were given a month's wage, which the 46 miners deny receiving.

Nicholas said the miners are contemplating bringing the matter to the Industrial Court as well as the Labour Department.

The mine reportedly produces 200 tonnes of coal worth an estimated RM20,000 daily which is used to fuel a coal-fired power station in Kuching.

Inter-Island Enterprise directors could not be contacted for comments.