MTUC: Why was Rela involved?
Andrew OngPublished: Mar 1, 2006 8:22 PM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 6:21 PM
The Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) wants to know why didn't the authorities didn't listen to the grievances of a group of Indian nationals but instead arrested them.
The Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) wants to know why didn't the authorities didn't listen to the grievances of a group of Indian nationals but instead arrested them.
The incident, involving some 60 Indian nationals camping outside the Indian High Commission at Jalan Duta in Kuala Lumpur occurred last night. According to eyewitnesses' accounts, indiscriminate violence was used on the victims.
MTUC Secretary-General G Rajasekaran when contacted today said that he had met Indian Deputy High Commissioner Nagendra Saxena and several of the victims.
The group, which arrived in Malaysia two months ago, claims their employment agency and employers from four companies had violated the terms of their contracts. They then sought the help of the High Commission for redress.
According to Rajasekaran, the Indian nationals were not given their salaries for their first month's work and subsequently were not given any work at all.
"Instead of the Labour Department intervening and resolving their problems, Rela came in and hauled them to the Lenggeng Detention Camp even though they have valid work permits," said Rajasekaran.
He said MTUC would be lodging formal complaints with the Home Affairs Ministry which issued the permits of the Indian workers.
Blacklist errant employers
Asked if he saw any victims who were hurt during the alleged beatings by Rela, Rajasekaran said one individual suffered shattered bones on his arms.
"He claims he fell after he was chased (by Rela officers) and later beaten when on the ground," said the trade unionist.
Rajasekaran called on the Immigration Department to investigate and blacklist employers found to be flaunting the law and mistreating their foreign workers.
"The should be banned from recruiting any foreign worker. The department should also find ways to allow such workers to be legally employed by other companies," he said, adding that merely detaining and deporting workers was the easy way out.
This morning, when speaking to reporters who gathered at the High Commission, Nagendra said the Commission will be lodging complaints with the relevant authorities over the fracas last night.
The incident, involving some 60 Indian nationals camping outside the Indian High Commission at Jalan Duta in Kuala Lumpur occurred last night. According to eyewitnesses' accounts, indiscriminate violence was used on the victims.
MTUC Secretary-General G Rajasekaran when contacted today said that he had met Indian Deputy High Commissioner Nagendra Saxena and several of the victims. The group, which arrived in Malaysia two months ago, claims their employment agency and employers from four companies had violated the terms of their contracts. They then sought the help of the High Commission for redress.
According to Rajasekaran, the Indian nationals were not given their salaries for their first month's work and subsequently were not given any work at all.
"Instead of the Labour Department intervening and resolving their problems, Rela came in and hauled them to the Lenggeng Detention Camp even though they have valid work permits," said Rajasekaran.
He said MTUC would be lodging formal complaints with the Home Affairs Ministry which issued the permits of the Indian workers.
Blacklist errant employers
Asked if he saw any victims who were hurt during the alleged beatings by Rela, Rajasekaran said one individual suffered shattered bones on his arms.
"He claims he fell after he was chased (by Rela officers) and later beaten when on the ground," said the trade unionist.
Rajasekaran called on the Immigration Department to investigate and blacklist employers found to be flaunting the law and mistreating their foreign workers.
"The should be banned from recruiting any foreign worker. The department should also find ways to allow such workers to be legally employed by other companies," he said, adding that merely detaining and deporting workers was the easy way out.
This morning, when speaking to reporters who gathered at the High Commission, Nagendra said the Commission will be lodging complaints with the relevant authorities over the fracas last night.
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