It's familiar story - at least 200 Bangladeshi workers have gathered outside the Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur today, demanding their right to employment.

The workers said they are jobless despite being promised work by a local employment agency after arriving in the country early this year.

The workers said they were also promised work permits but have yet to receive them.

Those who are employed said they have not been paid, according to migrant workers watchgroup Tenaganita.

The group is part of 500 workers who are employed by cleaning service, Asia Pasific Sdn Bhd, added the watchgroup. The workers were brought in the months of February, March and April.

"The majority did not have jobs. Those who held jobs were not paid," said Tenaganita director Irene Fernandez when contacted today.

The workers were sent mainly to Ipoh and Seremban for non-cleaning related work such as construction, she said.

Are there jobs or not?

"They have not obtained their work permit as yet. They were also not paid their wages, so there is deep frustration among them," said Irene.

She added that the workers came in with work contracts approved by the Home Ministry and attested by the Bangladeshi High Commission.

"Workers assumed there are jobs available. The question is why were they given approval to come here when no jobs are available for them?" she asked.

The workers claimed they paid up to RM11,000 to the employment agency to work in Malaysia.

Efforts are underway to provide water and food for the workers as more are expected to join the group.

"They don't want to leave unless they get their passport and their basic salary. They said the commission isn't standing up for their rights," said an aide worker who declined to be named.

Commission officials could not be reached for comments.