No relief for abused Indian workers from Indian High Comm
Roshan JasonPublished: Aug 13, 2004 7:00 PM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 6:21 PM
Eighteen workers from Punjab, India who have been left in the lurch after being mistreated by their Malaysian employer had the opportunity to meet with the Indian High Commissioner today in their bid to seek justice.
Eighteen workers from Punjab, India who have been left in the lurch after being mistreated by their Malaysian employer had the opportunity to meet with the Indian High Commissioner today in their bid to seek justice.
The workers, who arrived in April, had last week lodged a complaint with the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhkam) alleging that they were cheated and abused by their employer Khatijah Fateh, managing director of Power Juju Sdn Bhd.
Only15 of the workers showed up this morning - their third visit to the high commission - as three others were said to be very ill. Representatives from a migrant workers NGO, Tenaganita, were also present at the meeting which lasted for about 20 minutes.
When met after the meeting, the workers expressed disappointment with the outcome of their discussion with High Commissioner RL Narayan.
"Basically, the commissioner did not give us much to go on and told us that there was not very much he could do. It looks like we're in a hopelessly dire situation," said the group's spokesperson Darshan Singh.
"Apart from saying that they will try to seek the return of our passports from Khatijah, the commissioner seem to indicate to us that his hands were tied," he added through his cousin who acted as a translator.
Passports not returned
Khatijah had allegedly taken all their money and passports upon their arrival at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport. She is also accused of forcefully having cut their hair (which is kept long as a religious requirement) and of not paying them three months salary amounting to RM4,500 each.
The workers were also told that the high commission's attempts to contact the employer since Tenaganita's last meeting with them have proven futile.
"The commissioner further claimed he could not help us with getting our salary as it was a matter to be dealt with by the Malaysian Labour Court.
"Our request for a release letter from our employer was also not addressed as well as he said that Malaysian law did not recognise such a letter," Darshan (right) lamented.
Despite expressing sadness over the fact that their hair was cut against their will and religious requirements, Narayan said he would not get involved in a religious matter.
He also declined to meet with malaysiakini after the meeting. He had said, however, when contacted yesterday, that the plight of the group was being pursued and that he was 'doing the needful'.
Gloreen Dass (left) from Tenaganita, in welcoming the commissioner's efforts to have the workers' passports returned expressed disappointment that the high commission was not 'using their full authority to help their own nationals'.
"The high commission needs to be more proactive in handling this issue and other matters concerning Indian nationals in Malaysia," she said.
Financial help
The 18 workers are currently seeking shelter at a Sikh temple in the Klang Valley but have been told by the temple authorities that they cannot be there for much longer.
"The temple has been kind to us so far and we have been getting some financial help from individuals but we won't have anywhere to go after this.
"We can't go back to India as we've sold all our land and possessions besides taking loans with high interest rates just to make this trip to Malaysia," said a sombre Darshan.
He said Khatijah, whom he said spoke fluent Punjabi, had made them purchase their own tickets and also pay her RM8,000 for visa fees and other expenses.
The workers, who arrived in April, had last week lodged a complaint with the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhkam) alleging that they were cheated and abused by their employer Khatijah Fateh, managing director of Power Juju Sdn Bhd.
Only15 of the workers showed up this morning - their third visit to the high commission - as three others were said to be very ill. Representatives from a migrant workers NGO, Tenaganita, were also present at the meeting which lasted for about 20 minutes. When met after the meeting, the workers expressed disappointment with the outcome of their discussion with High Commissioner RL Narayan.
"Basically, the commissioner did not give us much to go on and told us that there was not very much he could do. It looks like we're in a hopelessly dire situation," said the group's spokesperson Darshan Singh.
"Apart from saying that they will try to seek the return of our passports from Khatijah, the commissioner seem to indicate to us that his hands were tied," he added through his cousin who acted as a translator.
Passports not returned
Khatijah had allegedly taken all their money and passports upon their arrival at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport. She is also accused of forcefully having cut their hair (which is kept long as a religious requirement) and of not paying them three months salary amounting to RM4,500 each.
The workers were also told that the high commission's attempts to contact the employer since Tenaganita's last meeting with them have proven futile.
"The commissioner further claimed he could not help us with getting our salary as it was a matter to be dealt with by the Malaysian Labour Court. "Our request for a release letter from our employer was also not addressed as well as he said that Malaysian law did not recognise such a letter," Darshan (right) lamented.
Despite expressing sadness over the fact that their hair was cut against their will and religious requirements, Narayan said he would not get involved in a religious matter.
He also declined to meet with malaysiakini after the meeting. He had said, however, when contacted yesterday, that the plight of the group was being pursued and that he was 'doing the needful'.
Gloreen Dass (left) from Tenaganita, in welcoming the commissioner's efforts to have the workers' passports returned expressed disappointment that the high commission was not 'using their full authority to help their own nationals'. "The high commission needs to be more proactive in handling this issue and other matters concerning Indian nationals in Malaysia," she said.
Financial help
The 18 workers are currently seeking shelter at a Sikh temple in the Klang Valley but have been told by the temple authorities that they cannot be there for much longer.
"The temple has been kind to us so far and we have been getting some financial help from individuals but we won't have anywhere to go after this.
"We can't go back to India as we've sold all our land and possessions besides taking loans with high interest rates just to make this trip to Malaysia," said a sombre Darshan.
He said Khatijah, whom he said spoke fluent Punjabi, had made them purchase their own tickets and also pay her RM8,000 for visa fees and other expenses.
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