PETALING JAYA: The human resources ministry is investigating the case of 171 Bangladeshi workers who failed to secure employment once they arrived in Malaysia.
Minister Steven Sim said he has directed agencies in his ministry to investigate immediately, including summoning the agents responsible for hiring migrant workers in Bayu Damai, Teluk Ramunia, Johor.
“Further investigations are ongoing regarding the incident. I will also meet the home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail to discuss and improve policies related to foreign workers in the near future,” he told Bernama today.
The Bukit Mertajam MP was commenting on the issue of 171 Bangladeshi workers brought in by agents but left jobless for three months after coming to this country.
Kota Tinggi police chief Hussin Zamora reportedly stated that the initial investigation found these documented migrant workers walking to Bayu Damai police station, about 10km from their hostel, to report being offered no work by agents for three to six months.
He said the police received reports about the incident from the Malaysian armed forces, and all were detained before being handed over to the immigration department.
The sight of the men walking in groups to the station raised concerns among local residents.
