Former workers of steel factory demand payment of salary arrears

KUANTAN: A group of 118 former workers of a steel factory in the Gebeng industrial area here who claimed to have been suddenly laid off, demanded that their ex- employer immediately pay their salary arrears and compensation.

The group’s representative, Zafran Ahmad, 43, also said that they were dismissed in stages from the end of 2016 until Oct 16 this year after the company decided to reduce its operations following lack of steel demand in the world market.

Zafran further claimed that the company was also found to have failed to make contributions to the Employees Provident Fund for them, whereas their salary statements stated that the money had been deducted.

” The company’s action of not paying our salary arrears and compensation has burdened the former workers who have to bear family expenses.

Some of us still have not got new jobs.

” We have brought this matter to the Labour Department which then arranged a meeting between the former workers and employers on Nov 15, but it was disappointing as they did not send any representatives,” he told reporters after the group staged a peaceful demonstration here yesterday.

Zafran, who was previously a supervisor at the factory, said they would take legal action against the company if there was no action on the matter was taken to ensure their rights were guaranteed.

A company representative when contacted said that the factory would only pay the salary arrears and compensation after the discussion process was completed and the actual amount finalised. — Bernama