Indian workers tortured in Malaysia; GCIC intervenes

Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC), an advocacy group based in Bangalore, demanded immediate intervention of International Labor Organisation (ILO) and the Indian Government after more than 200 Indian nationals working in a Malaysian factory alleged that they were being abused and tortured by their employment agent.

The factory based in Senai in Johor state, employed 264 Indian workers, who complained of their agent manhandling them from the time of their arrival in Malaysia, two years ago.

The workers claimed that three of their colleagues were abducted and beaten up for putting up a notice stating that workers no longer wanted 2.50 (25 rupees), the cost of hostel canteen food, to be deducted from their daily wages, reported GCIC.

Local media reports stated that the Indian workers, part of the 1,500 strong foreign workforces at the plastic molding factory, staged a picket to demand the release of the three. The brutal beating of the three workers, have petrified the workers, who are desperate to return home.

Thangaraju, 39, an employee in the company said, he and other two workers were beaten for hours and were even forced to consume mixture of detergent, when asked for water.

"We found worms in the rice served at the canteen. When we complained, 20 of my colleagues were abducted and were severely beaten. Only 10 returned and to date, we don't know what happened to the rest," he added.

A worker in the company said, the group has decided to quit and return home on the advice of their parents.

GCIC strongly condemned the happening and requested the Indian Government to protect and safeguard the Indians.