HC shelter proves inadequate for 225 cheated Bangladeshis in Malaysia
Wednesday, 26 December 2007
FE Report
More than 200 Bangladeshi workers who claim their employers in Malaysia underpaid and abused them have sought refuge outside the Bangladesh High Commission there, said a report of AFP published in Khaleej Times online Tuesday.
The Bangladesh High Commission has turned a section of its mission into a temporary shelter centre for some of the 225 workers but most of them have been sheltering on the pavement since early December due to a lack of space inside.
"We are trying our best to get the workers and employers to reach consensus but it's difficult because both sides have different views on the matter," " a senior Bangladeshi envoy told the AFP on condition of anonymity.
The envoy said there were about 350,000 Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia, mainly engaged in the plantation and manufacturing sectors.
As Christians celebrated the Christmas, a charity group provided some chicken curry with rice for the hungry and pale-looking Muslim workers.
Many of the poor workers paid thousands of dollars to agents to find them work in Malaysia where they hoped to make their fortunes.
One 28-year-old Bangladeshi, who identified himself as Hossain said he came to Malaysia in September.
"I paid the agent 12,000 ringgit (3,600 dollars) and I sold my father's land and cows to gather the money," he told the news agency.
"My agent got me a job with a company that manufactured computer hard discs. According to the contract, I should be paid 800 ringgit a month but they only gave me 380 ringgit.
"When I questioned them, they threatened me and refused to give me back my passport. All I want now is my passport and to find another job. Fearing my safety, I came to the embassy with 300 ringgit and now I don't have anything left," he said.
Another worker, Nazir Hossain (32), said he had been in Malaysia for the past six months and was being underpaid.
"I was working in a shipping company but I was not satisfied with the treatment. I was not paid the right amount they promised. Instead, they gave me only 400 riggit a month.
Siddiq Miah (42) also told a similar tale.
"I paid the agent in Bangladesh 12,000 ringgit to arrange a job for me, and he promised me a job in a factory but when I came here, they refused to hire me on health grounds," he said.
"My mother, wife and children barely have enough to eat without my salary. I want my agent to return my passport so that I can go home," he added.
More than 200 Bangladeshi workers who claim their employers in Malaysia underpaid and abused them have sought refuge outside the Bangladesh High Commission there, said a report of AFP published in Khaleej Times online Tuesday.
The Bangladesh High Commission has turned a section of its mission into a temporary shelter centre for some of the 225 workers but most of them have been sheltering on the pavement since early December due to a lack of space inside.
"We are trying our best to get the workers and employers to reach consensus but it's difficult because both sides have different views on the matter," " a senior Bangladeshi envoy told the AFP on condition of anonymity.
The envoy said there were about 350,000 Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia, mainly engaged in the plantation and manufacturing sectors.
As Christians celebrated the Christmas, a charity group provided some chicken curry with rice for the hungry and pale-looking Muslim workers.
Many of the poor workers paid thousands of dollars to agents to find them work in Malaysia where they hoped to make their fortunes.
One 28-year-old Bangladeshi, who identified himself as Hossain said he came to Malaysia in September.
"I paid the agent 12,000 ringgit (3,600 dollars) and I sold my father's land and cows to gather the money," he told the news agency.
"My agent got me a job with a company that manufactured computer hard discs. According to the contract, I should be paid 800 ringgit a month but they only gave me 380 ringgit.
"When I questioned them, they threatened me and refused to give me back my passport. All I want now is my passport and to find another job. Fearing my safety, I came to the embassy with 300 ringgit and now I don't have anything left," he said.
Another worker, Nazir Hossain (32), said he had been in Malaysia for the past six months and was being underpaid.
"I was working in a shipping company but I was not satisfied with the treatment. I was not paid the right amount they promised. Instead, they gave me only 400 riggit a month.
Siddiq Miah (42) also told a similar tale.
"I paid the agent in Bangladesh 12,000 ringgit to arrange a job for me, and he promised me a job in a factory but when I came here, they refused to hire me on health grounds," he said.
"My mother, wife and children barely have enough to eat without my salary. I want my agent to return my passport so that I can go home," he added.