Kawaguchi workers to enrol in employer exchange programme

Summary

• The Labour Department says discussions will be held on enrolling affected Kawaguchi Manufacturing Sdn Bhd in its Employer Exchange Programme.

• The department vows to ensure employees’ welfare are taken care of, issues fairly addressed.

The Labour Department will hold another discussion with disgruntled workers at Kawaguchi Manufacturing Sdn Bhd today to find a solution to their salary woes.

This would be the second meeting after Saturday, which ended in a deadlock as some 200 workers rejected Kawaguchi’s proposal to settle their overdue salaries in stages.

In a statement, the department said today’s discussion will be on enrolling those affected in its Employer Exchange Programme, which will involve 204 Kawaguchi workers who have valid work permits.

“On Dec 14, a negotiation was held where it involved this department, representatives from the Bangladesh High Commission, and the company.

“However, it came to a dead end. The company had suggested paying the overdue salaries in stages until September 2025. Workers objected to this and demanded they get paid in full by the end of this year.

“A further discussion will be held today regarding the process to change employers, which will be determined later. This programme will involve a total of 204 foreign workers who have valid work permits,” it said in a statement.

The department pledged to ensure the issues faced by the workers are fairly addressed and their welfare is taken care of.

8 probe papers

According to the department, they have been receiving information about issues regarding workers’ payments at the company since September, before they were advised to file a case against Kawaguchi.

Fifty-seven Bangladeshi workers had, in November, filed a claim involving a total amount of RM806,310.

It said the department has opened a total of eight investigation papers against the employer and hostel operator for various alleged offences.

On Sunday, the Labour Solidarity and Learning Resources Association (LLRC) urged authorities to take decisive action to ensure all of the workers receive their unpaid wages and other owed benefits.

Its general secretary Gopal Kishnam Nadesan said since the department raided Kawaguchi Manufacturing Sdn Bhd in September, no concrete remedies have been provided.

Intervene in workers' protest, human resources minister told

Japan hopes for continued, strong ties with Malaysia under new leadership

Ex-security guard reaches out-of-court settlement with US Embassy

MP calls for delay in 45-hour workweek for hospital staff

Suaram calls for dedicated human rights ministry

More companies adopt hybrid work models post-Covid, says MEF