Migrant workers’ arrest: HR minister to summon agent involved

The Human Resources Ministry will summon an agency involved in recruiting 171 migrant workers from Bangladesh but failed to find them employment after three months here.

Its minister Steven Sim said further investigations will be conducted this week on the agency responsible. Currently, the migrant workers are being held under immigration custody since Dec 20.

“We will not hesitate to take stern action against those found guilty,” Sim (above) told Malaysiakini yesterday, several hours after Kota Tinggi district police chief Hussin Zamora reportedly confirmed the arrests of the workers.

Yesterday, Hussin said the workers were legally brought into Malaysia but their agent has yet to provide them with work after three months.

“So, the Bangladeshi nationals decided to walk to the Bayu Damai police station, about 10km away from their accommodation, to lodge a police report on Dec 20,” he was quoted as saying by The Star.

However, a police report was lodged against the workers based on a video of them walking together.

Hussin also said the workers did not manage to lodge a police report after it was discovered that their agent had yet to find suitable employment for them.

Citing the Johor case, Sim said he had instructed his ministry to assist the workers to find jobs here.

“This action is done on humanitarian grounds given that this matter is beyond the purview of the Human Resources Ministry,” he added.

At the same time, Sim said he will be meeting Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail to improve policies related to migrant workers.

“I would like to stress that hiring migrant workers is to support businesses and should not be a business in itself,” Sim added.

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Exploitation

Meanwhile, Pengerang MP Azalina Othman Said has called for immediate investigations against those who duped the migrant workers.

Azalina, who is Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform), said violation of human rights should not be tolerated, including in the business sector.

“This is only the tip of the iceberg. The culprits behind this syndicate must be held accountable and immediate investigations must be carried out on who issued these permits with no jobs available.

“The responsibility and role of all companies involved should also be investigated to determine how legitimate migrant workers could be exploited and enticed with promises of work in Malaysia.

“These are crimes against humanity. We must not tolerate violations against human rights including in the business sector. It is time to take firm action against irresponsible businesses,” she said in a statement posted on X.

The Umno leader also commended Sim for extending assistance to the migrant workers.

Ex-MPs call for action

The incident also caught the attention of two former Pakatan Harapan MPs who urged immigration authorities not to criminalise the workers.

Former Klang MP Charles Santiago, in a posting on X, urged authorities against going after the workers whom he described as victims.

“They need justice. They borrowed money to come here. No jobs, no salaries, no food," he said, alluding to reported incidents of fraud and debt bondage faced by migrant workers.

Additionally, Charles said police should investigate whether there are elements of collusion between agents and the local authorities.

Meanwhile, former Sungai Buloh MP R Sivarasa said MACC should immediately investigate how the agent obtained the Immigration Department’s approval to bring in workers when there were no jobs available.

“Immigration should stop treating the Bangladeshi workers as criminals who have broken immigration laws,” he said.

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