The last 30 from the original group of 68 migrant workers from Chennai were finally given air tickets by the Indian High Commission to return home yesterday after pressure from the workers and the Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC).

MTUC secretary general G Rajasekaran said Usra Tampi (M) Sdn Bhd, a thermoplastic company based in Shah Alam, had fired 68 workers after they filed a suit against the company for unpaid wages.

Earlier this year, 68 workers came into the country to work in Usra Tampi on the basis that they were promised a certain wage.

"They were promised wages up to RM750 a month but were only paid between RM320 and RM350," Rajasekaran said when contacted by telephone.

However, after entering the country and starting work, the company withheld half of the contracted amount and overtime.

All 68 of them had their contract of employment terminated in March and April. The company also used various methods to remove them from the premises.

Survived on welfare

"First, electricity was cut off but they made do with candles. Then water supply was cut but they managed to obtain water from the other workers. In early July, the company threw all their belongings out and locked the doors," he said.

Also, the workers alleged that they were beaten up by thugs, arrested by Rela officers and detained at the illegal migrant workers camp in Lengang.

Although they survived on donations and welfare provided by MTUC, neighbours and other workers who lived in the same hostel, Rajasekaran said the country's reputation has been ruined by such unscrupulous employers.

It was then that the workers and MTUC requested for Indian High Commission's intervention to provide flight tickets for the stranded workers to return home.

On July 13, 33 workers received air tickets from the Indian High Commission and flew home. Five others followed and yesterday's 30 were the last group to make it home.

All the workers have given written authorisation to MTUC to take up their complaint of non-payment of wages and overtime. MTUC will take up the matter with the Labour Department in Subang Jaya.

Asked how long the procedure would take, Rajasekaran said the Labour Courts work quite swiftly and he hoped to hear from them within a month after filing their complaint next week.

"The company can make it difficult for us on this matter so we might have to get one or two of them to return to testify in court. They deserve a remedy after what they've gone through," he said.

Usra Tampi officials were not available for comment when contacted this afternoon.