Migrants rights NGO Tenaganita has asked the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) to investigate complaints by migrant workers who had applied for work permits under the 6P programme.

The memorandum contained detailed personal accounts by migrant workers who claimed that they were cheated and that their rights were violated.

Departments under the government, which had approved 55 agencies to operate the scheme, have also been accused by Tenaganita of not acting on complaints .

Executive director Irene Fernandez claimed that the companies that Tenaganita has highlighted had taken away passports and fees paid for the work permit applications.

She said the workers had complained to the police, but were “not entertained” and that the respective embassies have failed to assist them as well.

Fernandez handed the memorandum yesterday to commissioner Detta Samen, who said the matter would be pursued through the relevant embassies, Immigration Department and police force.

“Based on the evidence and testimony (of the complainants), Suhakam will ... find out what has been done and produce a full report,” he said.

NONE Nani Ram ( in striped shirt) , 26, a Nepali, said he had made repeated visits to the agency which accepted his application.

However, he said the staff refused to provide assistance and told him to come back on different days for his permit and passport.

“I went to a lawyer to help me with this. He asked me to pay an advance of RM1,750 to help me get my passport back,” said Nani, who paid the money.

He alleged that the lawyer had evaded him and eventually threatened him by saying: “This is Malaysia; if you message or call me, I will call gangsters.”

Bangladeshi says he was beaten up

Mohamad Yusuf, 40 and Wari, 41, both Indonesians, gave a similar account.

“I have been cheated ... please help me and provide me with protection,” Wari said, claiming that the Indonesian Embassy had not assisted him when approached.

NONE Mohbub Molik, 39, a Bangladeshi, said he was cheated and beaten up when he went to an agency to help a fellow national.

They took away my passport, money, watch … took me into a room and beat me up,” he alleged.

He also said the agency had warned him to not report this to the police as they have “friends” there.

Fernandez added that most of the agencies approved to register and legalise the workers are the same ones recruiting Bangladeshi workers after Malaysia lifted its 10-year freeze on this.