Govt rescues 93 Bangladeshi workers left in limbo in Cheras

The government has rescued 93 Bangladeshi migrant workers who have allegedly been in limbo in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur for over three months after jobs promised to them failed to materialise.

Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Human Resources Minister Steven Sim said the rescued victims were brought to the Immigration Department in Putrajaya for documentation before obtaining an interim protection order.

“Both ministries launched an investigation into the case of 93 Bangladeshi foreign workers in Cheras and found that the workers in question were neglected without being provided with jobs and conducive accommodation by their employers.

“The employer also reportedly failed to take care of the welfare of these workers in terms of accommodation and food,” the ministers said in a joint statement today.

Migrant rights activist Andy Hall previously claimed that 104 Bangladeshi workers have been left jobless since arriving in the country in November last year - were recruited by a construction company based in Cheras.

According to the report, the workers had paid exorbitant recruitment fees - ranging between RM19,500 and RM21,700 - and were promised good facilities and high-paying jobs.

The ministers said based on the company records, the employer was Syarikat Pembinaan Ricoler Sdn Bhd.

They added that legal action will be taken against the employers under the Employees’ Minimum Standards of Housing Accommodations and Amenities Act 1990 for the employer’s failure to provide accommodation facilities to employees and the Employment Act 1955 for failure to pay wages to their employees.

“The ministries will also blacklist the company from employing foreign workers in the future, freeze the quota obtained by the company and investigate (the employer) under Section 12 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007.

“Action will also be taken under the Passport Act 1966 (Act 150) because the employer is believed to be in possession of the employees’ passports,” they added.

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