KUALA LUMPUR: The Bangladeshi workers who were duped into coming to Pengerang, Johor for non-existent jobs will receive a total of RM1.03 million of unpaid wages from their employers.
The Human Resources Ministry said the proceeding on Feb 5 by a Johor labour department officer was also attended by the employers and workers involved, witnessed by officers from the Bangladesh High Commission.
"Both parties have reached a mutual agreement with a payment totalling RM1,035,557.50 in wages to the workers involved.
"The ministry emphasised that employers were still responsible for paying the wages of workers brought in but not provided with employment, as reiterated by the Human Resources Minister on Jan 16, 2024.
"The company will also relocate these workers to new employers through a special employer exchange process facilitated by the Peninsular Malaysia Labour Department," the ministry said in a statement today.
It added that the success of the proceeding was a landmark case that would serve as a reference in future labour-related cases, as it involved foreign workers being brought in legally, neglected and not provided with employment upon arrival in the country.
The ministry also said employers found guilty would be blacklisted by the authorities and would have their quota for foreign workers revoked.
"The ministry will never compromise with any party that violates labour laws and will always ensure the welfare of workers is safeguarded," it added.
It was reported that 171 Bangladeshi workers were arrested by the police in Pengerang, Johor, in December last year, while marching to file a police report for unpaid wages.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution and Human Resources Minister Steven Sim had said on Jan 6 that the company that brought the foreign men and promised them non-existent jobs had been blacklisted.