Malaysia: Bangladeshi & Nepali chicken processing factory workers allegedly threatened with deportation after raising complaints
Summary
Date Reported: 3 Sep 2023
Location: Malaysia
Companies
Ayamas Food - EmployerAffected
Total individuals affected: 200
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - Nepal , Food & beverage , Gender not reported , Unknown migration status ) , Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - Bangladesh , Food & beverage , Gender not reported , Unknown migration status )Issues
Occupational Health & Safety , Retention of identity documents , Precarious/Unsuitable Living Conditions , Intimidation , Access to Non-Judicial Remedy , Restricted mobility , Wage Theft , Freedom of ExpressionResponse
Response sought: Yes, by Journalist
External link to response: (Find out more)
Action taken: The company denies the allegations of migrant workers mistreatment. The company stated that it maintained safety procedures and manufacturing standards. The company acknowledged payment delays had occurred but linked the delays to ‘the processing time taken to secure work permits and complete employer transfers’.
Source type: News outlet
“Migrant workers ‘threatened with deportation after complaints’”
A migrant rights activist has alleged that more than 200 Bangladeshi and Nepali labourers working at a chicken processing factory in the Klang Valley are being threatened with deportation.
Andy Hall said the threats were made by the factory management after authorities intervened when they were alerted to poor working conditions and delayed salary payments.
“The workers were asked to gather at the canteen and told that they should not be communicating any issue outside of management,” he told FMT.
He alleged that the management demanded to know those responsible for relaying information to outsiders, and “issued threats of deportation if such communication persists”.
Hall said the Bangladeshis working at the receiving area were only recently provided with protective equipment…
…they had been exposed to unsanitary conditions…
…the labourers finally received three months’ pay after the authorities intervened, but still do not have their passports…
FMT has sought comment from the human resources ministry, the labour department, and the factory concerned.
They were then placed in a dormitory in Subang Jaya, which had only one toilet, and placed to work at a chicken processing factory.