KUALA LUMPUR: The company who allegedly duped more than 733 Bangladeshi migrant workers in Pengerang, Johor, has yet to pay them their unpaid wages amounting to RM1,035,557.50, as arranged by the Johor Labour Department on Feb 5.
This, despite the company being given a 45-day grace period to fulfill the payment obligation.
The Human Resources Ministry in a statement today said the Johor Labor Department is now in the process of enforcing an order issued by the Labour Court by bringing the employer to the Sessions Court under Section S69(4) of the Employment Act 1955.
If found guilty, the company could face fines of up to RM50,000.00 for each offence and be required to settle the wages owed to the workers.
The ministry said a total of 10 investigation papers have been opened against the company, with four having received permission to prosecute and the rest having given further instructions.
Additionally, the quota for hiring foreign workers for the company has been revoked and the employer was blacklisted from applying to hire new foreign workers.
A total of 692 affected foreign workers have been provided employment through a Special Employer Change Process (PTM).
The ministry said it would never compromise with any party that violates labour laws to ensure the welfare of workers is always guaranteed.
"Stern action will be taken against any employer or organisation found to be infringing upon the rights of workers."
On Feb 5, the ministry through the Department of Labour in Peninsular Malaysia (JTKSM) conducted a hearing for the claims involving the 733 foreign workers.
They involved unpaid wages since they were brought into the country and not provided with jobs as promised.
The employer agreed to make salary payments totaling over RM1 million to the foreign workers.
The agreement was reached in proceedings held at Taman Bayu Damai Multipurpose Hall in Pengerang and conducted by officers from the Johor Labour Department with the presence of employers and workers, and witnessed by officials from the Bangladesh High Commission.