The government today issued a warning to employers who bring foreign workers into the country to pay their workers, even if no work is provided.

Speaking at a press conference, Minister of Human Resources Steven Sim warned employers who defy this, stating that failure to pay wages is a violation of the country’s labor laws.

“Workers are entitled to their wages even if work is not performed. Therefore, our stance from now on is that the ministry will consider that any worker entering Malaysia must be paid, whether they work or not,” he said during the press conference in Putrajaya this evening.

Sim stated that the decision was reached during a joint committee meeting on foreign worker management between the Ministry of Human Resources and the Ministry of Home Affairs held earlier today.

On December 20 last year, 171 foreign workers from Bangladesh marched about 10 kilometers to the Bayu Damai police station in Pengerang, Johor, to report their agents who failed to secure employment for them after three months in the country.

However, the group was detained by the Immigration Department before they could make a report. They were later released from detention.

Following the incident, Sim said the ministry has also implemented several new approaches to prevent such violations from recurring.

Companies found to violate the law will have their foreign worker quotas frozen and be blacklisted.

Addressing concerns about the speculation of masterminds shielding individuals behind errant companies, the government will also take action against directors and managers involved under Section 101(b) of the Employment Act.

“So action will be taken against directors and managers, not just the company entity,” he said.

Meanwhile, regarding the case in Pengerang, Sim informed reporters that 571 Bangladeshi workers have filed claims for their unpaid wages with the Department of Labor so far.

This involves a total of RM2.21 million in unpaid wages.

For this case, Sim said the Labor Court has set February 5 for the trial in Pengerang. – Malaysiakini.com