- Joined
- Jul 16, 2008
- Messages
- 21,842
- Points
- 113
Across the border in Malaysia, Indian workers said they received no food or assistance from employers or the government.
There are an estimated 150,000 Indian expatriates and workers, but there are thousands more irregular and temporary pass workers.
Mr Kannan, 48, cried on the phone as he described the "shameful scene" every afternoon in his Kuala Lumpur neighbourhood.
"Charities come to feed 100 workers, but 500 line up. We fight like beggars for each lunch packet. I used to get $50 a day for house cleaning, but with no work now, I can't even afford the small change to put in the drinking water filter. I fill up my stomach with tap water," he said.
Mr Kannan, who declined to give his full name, has mentioned none of this to his family in Tamil Nadu.
The Selangor Mansion and Malayan Mansion flats in KL which house mainly foreign workers were put under an enhanced movement control order after 15 workers were found to be Covid-19 positive early last month.
Last Friday, the immigration authorities, which were conducting raids, arrested hundreds of undocumented workers in the eight-storey blocks, said Ms Sumitha Shaanthinni Kishna, director of migrant rights non-profit organisation Our Journey.
From a high window, Mr Shankar (name changed) watched officials in white protective gear pack 10 trucks with workers. "We are hungry, some may be sick. Is this the time to do arrests?" he asked.
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/s...th-wages-here-face-hunger-arrests-in-malaysia
There are an estimated 150,000 Indian expatriates and workers, but there are thousands more irregular and temporary pass workers.
Mr Kannan, 48, cried on the phone as he described the "shameful scene" every afternoon in his Kuala Lumpur neighbourhood.
"Charities come to feed 100 workers, but 500 line up. We fight like beggars for each lunch packet. I used to get $50 a day for house cleaning, but with no work now, I can't even afford the small change to put in the drinking water filter. I fill up my stomach with tap water," he said.
Mr Kannan, who declined to give his full name, has mentioned none of this to his family in Tamil Nadu.
The Selangor Mansion and Malayan Mansion flats in KL which house mainly foreign workers were put under an enhanced movement control order after 15 workers were found to be Covid-19 positive early last month.
Last Friday, the immigration authorities, which were conducting raids, arrested hundreds of undocumented workers in the eight-storey blocks, said Ms Sumitha Shaanthinni Kishna, director of migrant rights non-profit organisation Our Journey.
From a high window, Mr Shankar (name changed) watched officials in white protective gear pack 10 trucks with workers. "We are hungry, some may be sick. Is this the time to do arrests?" he asked.
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/s...th-wages-here-face-hunger-arrests-in-malaysia