The protesting Nepali migrant workers have agreed to return to work from Friday.
They were protesting against the JCY International company based in southern industrial hub of Johor state in Malaysia. They were demanding relief package and salary payment for the remaining period of contract incase of the workers’ death, overtime payments according to the contract paper, facility of sick-leave, availability of free water and electricity, proper management of hostel. However, seeking help from Nepali embassy and the company, they have also asked immediate release of their arrested comrade
According to councilor at the Nepali Embassy in Kula Lumpur Hemlal Bhattarai, the agitating workers agreed to return to work after the company assured to meet their demands, yesterday after a meeting.
The work at the company came to a halt due to the workers’ strike.
The Malaysian police arrested 40 Nepalis and two Bangladeshis as they were involved in riots, vandalism and arson of the properties. Some of the migrant workers also stoned the office section of the factory and burned a car forcing the police to arrest them. The arrested migrant workers are under investigation under the anti-rioting law.
The protest sparked after a Nepali migrant worker died due to the company’s negligence for his treatment. He was sick. After their fellow worker died, the Nepali migrant workers protested asking for facility to the deceased. The protest turned violent as other migrant workers also joined them.
The Malaysian government has mobilised police heavily at the Kulaijaya and Tebrau of the JCY company after the protest.
Harka Bahadur Niraula (31) died last Friday at a Tebrau-based JCY factory after complaining of chest pains. The company employees the highest number of workers in Malaysia. It employes around 1,600 Nepali migrant workers.