Ram Chandra Giri

Four Nepali migrant workers were arrested in Malaysia on Tuesday. The workers, who had been working at the Johor-based Inter-multi Furniture Company, were boycotting duty, saying that the company had not paid them as per agreement.

They also said the quarters the company has provided them are not managed properly. The arrested have been identified as Dhan Kumar Rai of Dhankuta, Shivalal Chaudhary of Saptari and Dharmaraj Niraula and Bishnu Pant of Rupandehi.

Damodhar Dhakal, who works at the same company, said Malaysian police arrested them from their quarters in the evening and that they were taken to a nearby police office. The arrested men complained that they have not been paid as per the agreement and that only one toilet has been given for 40 employees.

“We are paid a monthly salary of a mere Rs. 481 in Malaysian currency against the Rs. 546 agreed upon,” Dhakal said over telephone. He said they have informed the Nepali Embassy in Malaysia of the incident. According to Malaysian law, workers should inform a company 24 hours before going on a strike. There are over 300 Nepalis working in the company.

Published on: 24 March 2011 | The Kathmandu Post