...More than two-thirds of the 251 foreign workers previously employed by Kawaguchi Manufacturing Sdn Bhd have found new jobs…

…on Feb 6, a Johor-based manufacturer was given the green light to hire another 96 workers. The workers are expected to start work soon, with final approvals from related government departments expected within days…

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh High Commission is assisting with the repatriation of 11 others, whose immigration status is irregular.

“The fact that almost all who are still in the country are now, or will soon be, legally employed is good. And the fact that the workers didn’t get arrested or deported, that’s good too,” he told FMT.

However, these workers remain in “severe debt bondage”, Hall said, with some having racked up debts of RM25,000 or more, in addition to being owed up to RM26,000 in unpaid wages for almost a year…

In January, FMT reported that the 251 foreign workers, who went seven months without pay last year, were planning to drag two prominent Japanese companies to court in Washington DC.

At the time, Hall said the workers were planning to sue the companies for exploitation, mistreatment, and non-payment of wages. The suit is said to be still “pending”.