A group of Indian nationals stranded in a church here are expected to leave Malaysia tomorrow after waiting for three weeks to settle their work and salary dispute with their employer.

However, the 45 Indian workers are unlikely to depart together as the employer is said to have purchase less than the total number of tickets needed for the return of the entire group.

They have also not been paid their due salaries.

"We have been told that 32 workers will be sent back tomorrow.

"However, what we want to know is why they are now leaving without settlement of their salaries?" said labour rights organisation Tenaganita's migrant worker desk coordinator Aegile Fernandez today.

The workers' plight first came to attention when they arrived in Kuala Lumpur from their work site in Sitiawan, Perak, to seek the assistance of the Indian High Commission.

They were then referred to Tenaganita, who arranged for them to stay at the St Francis Xavier's church in Petaling Jaya while the matter was raised with the Human Resources Ministry.

Statements recorded

According to a representative of the church, Father Paul Das, the workers should be receiving their tickets today, based on communication by ministry officials.

Das said several ministry officials had visited the workers yesterday in order to record statements regarding their pay grievances.

"The ministry has been good in taking on the case. This is the second time they are (meeting) with the workers. The first meeting took place last Monday in Putrajaya," he said when contacted.

The workers have alleged that their employer, Gopis Construction based in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, still owed them their salaries for last month which were withheld after the workers disagreed with their employer to work with another company in Johor, a move which could turn them into illegal immigrants.

In addition, the workers also claimed they left their job sites in Sitiawan after they were threatened with physical harm for not obeying their employer.

During the meeting in Putrajaya, the Human Resources Ministry had ordered Gopis construction to clear the workers' unpaid wages and purchase air tickets for their return.

Donations received

Asked about the present arrangements at the church, Das said the workers have received donations of food from several sympathisers.

"Some good people have donated food. The Indian High Commission had also called Tenaganita asking for (the organisation) to give them a bill for providing food (to the workers)," he said.

Meanwhile, an official from the Human Resources Ministry declined to confirm that the workers will be leaving tomorrow, saying the matter was still being "handled" by the ministry.

The official, who declined to be named provided no other details as to the status of the ministry's progress in securing the workers' owed salaries.

The owner of Gopis Construction, VK Lingam, was unavailable for comment.