A Malaysian recruitment company is being taken to the Industrial Court for failing to pay salary arrears amounting to Tk2.3 crore to 733 Bangladeshi workers.
Despite a directive issued by Malaysia's Human Resources Ministry on February 5 to settle the outstanding amount within 45 days, the company has not complied, reports The Star quoting a ministry statement on Friday (May 17).
The ministry said the case is being referred to the court under Section S69(4) of the Employment Act 1955. If found guilty, the employer could face fines of RM50,000 for each offence in addition to paying the arrears.
The claim proceedings revealed that although the workers were legally brought into the country, they were not provided with any jobs. The statement noted that ten investigation papers (IPs) have been opened on the company. Permission for prosecution has been obtained for four IPs, with further instructions pending on the others.
Additionally, the company's recruitment licence has been revoked, preventing it from accepting any new applications. Of the 733 affected workers, 692 have since secured employment through the Special Employers Exchange Process.
"The ministry will not compromise with any parties who flout labour laws and will ensure that the welfare of workers is always guaranteed," the statement concluded.
