Malaysian company faces court over non-payment of Tk2.59cr salary arrears to 733 Bangladeshis
If convicted, the employer could be fined RM50,000 (Tk12,50,062) for every offence in addition to paying the arrears
A Malaysian recruitment company is facing the country's Industrial Court proceedings for failing to pay salary arrears to 733 Bangladeshi workers as directed in claim proceedings through Malaysia's Human Resources Ministry.
The proceedings were held on 5 February and the company was given 45 days to settle the outstanding amount of RM1,035,557.50 (Tk2.59 crore) but had not done so to date, according to a ministry statement published today (17 May), reports The Star.
According to the local media report, the Human Resource Ministry said the case was being referred to the court under Section S69(4) of the Employment Act 1955.
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If convicted, the employer could be fined RM50,000 (Tk12,50,062) for every offence in addition to paying the arrears.
According to the findings of the claim proceedings, although the workers were brought into the country legally, they did not get any jobs.
"A total of 10 investigation papers (IP) have been opened on the company involved.
"Permission for prosecution was obtained for four IPs, with the others (awaiting) further instruction," the Malaysian ministry's statement read.
The statement also noted that the said company's recruitment licence had been cancelled and it was no longer allowed to take in any new applications.
Of the 733 affected workers, 692 had since found jobs under the Special Employers Exchange Process, the statement read.
"The ministry will not compromise with any parties who flout labour laws and will ensure that the welfare of workers is always guaranteed," it added.
