Malaysia is one of Asia's biggest employers of foreign labour. But recently, cases of deaths, abuse and forced labour have come to light. What is going on? Who is protecting these migrant workers?
Judge Ridwan Ibrahim ordered that a warrant of arrest be served on Manohran
Vellappan, 51, of Linsun (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd for not appearing in court yesterday.
<p>Manohran was supposed to explain to the court why he had failed to pay his
former employees RM839,936.55 according to the payment schedule agreed by him
after Ridwan ruled in favour of the workers on July 2 last year. </p>
<p>Counsel Harcharanjit Singh later told the court that the notice would be dispatched
to Manohran at his house at 26, Jalan Seri Aman 2, Lukut, Port Dickson. </p>
<p>Ridwan then fixed March 15 for mention of the warrant of arrest. </p>
<p>Lawyer Harcharanjit Singh talking to Abul Bashir at the Sessions Court in Ipoh
Tuesday. Abul Bashir was among some 20 Bangladeshi workers who were present
in court.</p>
<p>On July 2 last year, Ridwan had ordered Linsun to pay the 115 workers RM839,936.55
and 8% interest annually on arrears, through the Sitiawan Labour Court. </p>
<p>According to the judgment, the company was supposed to pay RM10,000 monthly
from July to September last year, followed by a monthly payment of RM20,000
from October to December last year and RM30,000 a month from January until full
settlement. </p>
<p>The money was for work done between June 2002 and January 2003. </p>
<p>Outside the court later, about 20 of the 115 Bangladeshi workers who were present
in court yesterday were disappointed to hear about another postponement for
the case against their employer. </p>
<p>Abul Bashar Abul Ghani, 45, said they thought that their misery of having to
travel up and down about 98km by bus to court here to claim their salaries would
end after yesterday’s proceeding. </p>
<p>"We are having sleepless nights thinking about what is going to happen
to us. What we are asking for is our salary so that we can go back to Bangladesh,"
said Abul Bashar, who is granted a special visit pass, renewable monthly at
RM100 from the Immigration Department, to stay on for the hearing.
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