“FGV says only 2,101 workers experienced delays in permit renewal”

…FGV Holdings Bhd has dismissed claims that 10,000 of its foreign workers have experienced delays in the renewal of their work permits, saying only 2,101 employees were affected.

The agri-business and food company said the delay was due to a backlog in the processing of applications and the issuance of check-out memos by the immigration department for workers to return home.

“FGV is working closely with the immigration department to expedite the renewals and issuance of check-out memos.

“We expect to resolve it by the fourth quarter of this year. This delay is the leading cause of why affected migrant workers were not able to return home for vacation,” FGV told FMT.

FGV also denied retaining the passports and personal documents of its workers, saying employees are given individual lockers for the safekeeping of these papers…

NGOs and activist Andy Hall recently claimed that 10,000 passports belonging to FGV workers were being held by immigration pending the renewal of their work permits.

The workers also complained that the company had prevented them from returning home after completing their contract.

The workers, mostly from India and Bangladesh, said they have worked in Malaysia for about five years and have not returned home…