Workers Protest Outside Kawaguchi Manufacturing Plant in Klang
Protest Continues Despite Police Dispersal
A group of workers at Kawaguchi Manufacturing plant in Klang have continued to protest over unpaid wages, despite the police earlier stating that a gathering had been dispersed. The protest has been ongoing since last night, with workers demanding that the management pay them their salaries.
Background
The protest comes two weeks after FMT reported that 57 Kawaguchi workers complained in four separate reports with the labour department over unpaid wages and unlawful salary deductions totalling more than RM800,000 since May. The workers are unhappy with a company announcement that their wage arrears would only be paid next September, with one worker stating, "We want our salaries. The company promised to pay us by December, but they have not done so."
Police Intervention
Police arrived at the scene and dispersed the protest, with Selangor police chief Hussein Omar Khan stating that the workers were demanding that the management pay them their salaries. Hussein said that police arrived and dispersed the protest, with no injuries reported and no police reports lodged into the incident.
Bangladesh High Commission Intervention
It is understood that officials from the Bangladesh high commission in Kuala Lumpur are at the company to resolve the issue. The high commission has been working to address the concerns of the Bangladeshi workers, who make up a significant portion of the company’s workforce.
Company Background
Kawaguchi Manufacturing plant supplies components to major companies such as Sony, Panasonic, and Daikin. The company has been subject to an investigation by the labour department in September, which found evidence that it had not paid more than 200 of its Bangladeshi workers since April, and had also retained their passports.
Conclusion
The protest outside Kawaguchi Manufacturing plant in Klang highlights the ongoing issue of delayed salary payments and human rights violations in Malaysia’s manufacturing sector. The government and labour department must take swift action to address these concerns and ensure that workers are paid their rightful wages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the reason for the protest?
A: The workers are protesting over unpaid wages and unlawful salary deductions.
Q: How many workers are involved in the protest?
A: Approximately 250 workers are involved in the protest.
Q: What is the company’s response to the protest?
A: The company has announced that it will pay the wage arrears next September, but the workers are demanding immediate payment.
Q: What is the labour department’s response to the issue?
A: The labour department has launched an investigation into the company’s practices and has found evidence of unpaid wages and human rights violations.