Security firm is irresponsible

ACTION should be taken against the security firm which employed the Nepali “hero” guards (The Star Online, “MMA fighter vs security guards: Four remanded”, July 18) who got into trouble because they did not possess work permits.

The Nepalese guards stood their ground and carried out their duty against an MMA fighter who was refused entry into the condominium in Subang Jaya, Selangor.

A brawl took place and the security guards overpowered the MMA fighter.

Upon investigation, it was found that the Nepali security guards did not have work permits. The guards had passports but were working illegally in the country.

The security firm should be responsible for getting the work permits and looking into the welfare of the foreign workers.

There are around 350,000 Nepalese in the country. Most of them have left their homes in search of work, and most of them work as security guards.

Nepal is a poor country and the major earthquake in 2015 has plunged the nation into severe depression.

The “push and pull” factors have forced Nepali workers to come in droves to work in our country.

They are from poverty-stricken families and have no jobs.

To the Nepali, Malaysia is a land of “milk and honey”, a land with endless employment opportunities.

However, many of them have a rude awakening when they arrive in Malaysia.

Some of them have “slave drivers” for employers who treat them like slaves.

Some of the living conditions provided by their employers are appalling.

Some have to share their beds and rooms while they work shifts as security guards.

Some have to walk long distances from their “homes” to their work places.

Some are not paid for months. Some have no off days. Some are harassed by local thugs and bullied into paying them protection money.

Even some unscrupulous enforcement officers have taken advantage of the Nepalese by extorting money from them.

Malaysian security firms are happy to employ Nepalese because they provide cheap labour and do not give much problem like complaining about the living and working conditions or asking for pay rise.

Apart from that, the Nepalese are known to be good security guards.

Sadly, some unscrupulous security firms do not get work permits for their workers so as to capitalise on their illegal work status – to make them work long hours and pay them less.

Hopefully, the welfare of the Nepalese involved in the fracas who have no work permits will be looked into.

It is not their fault that they do not have work permits.

The authorities should look into security firms and check that the security guards employed by the firms have legal work permits.

We should take better care of foreign workers so that they can work for our economic productivity and prosperity.

SAMUEL YESUIAH Seremban