Plantation Jobs in KL
Many Bangladeshis face a hard time
At least 18 Bangladeshi workers who migrated to Malaysia last month for plantation jobs under state arrangements want to return home, as they have been facing heavy odds in their workplace. Some of the workers told The Daily Star they were being forced to work no less than 12 hours a day instead of eight hours as stipulated in their contract. Besides, they are bound to work at least two more hours on overtime.
“We are unable to stay here any longer because our employer has no consideration for our rights. They are forcing us to work in an unsafe environment of palm gardens,” said one of the workers, who cannot be named for security reasons.
According to the contract, a worker is supposed to get a minimum of 900 Malaysian ringgits a month. But the employer has informed them that they would be paid according to the hours they work, he said by phone yesterday.
“It is a clear violation of our contract. Why will we work and stay here if we do not get our due salaries?”
Another worker said it is very difficult to work in the palm gardens because the whole area is shady and infested with bugs and snakes.
These workers went to Malaysia with 152 other Bangladeshis, having spent Tk 33,500 under government arrangements. They are currently working in Malaysia’s Penang province.
Contacted, Mantu Kumar Biswas, labour counsellor of Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, told The Daily Star that his office had not received any complaints from the workers.
He added, “If any of the workers faces any difficulty, he should contact the high commission. We will definitely consider their problems and try to resolve them.”
He stressed that if the employer compels the workers to work longer than the contract hours, they must be paid extra for that.
Zafar Ahmed Khan, secretary of the expatriates’ welfare and overseas employment ministry, said the high commission had informed the ministry about the workers’ complaints.
“Because the workers knew about their job before migrating to Malaysia, they should keep at it at least for six months. We will deal with the situation if they face further difficulties.”
-With The Daily Star input
