Thread by @rejitweets

Thread

I slept on a rooftop in a makeshift tent and had one day leave once in a month and worked for 18 hours a day...

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On 25 Feb 2022, Dan Wright, Political Officer at the US Embassy informed me regarding a potential trafficking case that was shared by Minister of Ministry of Human Resources, Datuk Seri M Saravanan to the US Embassy and requested for legal representation for the potential victim.

Renganathan Thangavel, an undocumented migrant from India was rescued in a raid at the employer’s restaurant on the morning of 25 Jan 2022. The raid was conducted with the presence of the Minister.

Renganathan had worked with the employer (for the 2nd time) from 14 Jan 2020 to 25 Jan 2022 an was only paid a total of RM14,000 for working 7 days a week 14 – 18 hours daily

Renganathan was placed under an Interim Protection Order (IPO) until Mar 2022 at RP4 Government Shelter for men in Melaka. At this point of time of the interview, we were not sure of the outcome of the police investigation and whether his IPO will be extended.

Subsequently, Renganathan’s IPO was not renewed and he was placed in the Lenggeng Immigration Detention until his deportation on 26 April 2022.

During his detention, the Ministry of Human Resources called the Sekaran, a staff of the Indian Embassy to conduct the negotiation with the Employer and Sekaram convinced Renganathan to settle for a sum of RM10,000.00.

Further, Renganathan was made to pay his own ticket and covid test amounting to RM1,600.00. Renganathan only received RM8,400.00.

The employer was charged under Section 55B of the Immigration Act 1959/1963 at Seremban High Court on 4 April 2022.

He was fined RM10,000, the least amount possible under the law.

Section 55B - The act of employing one or more persons other than citizens or Entry Permit holders who do not have a valid pass.

A fine of not less than RM10, 000 but not more than RM50, 000 or imprisonment not exceeding 12 months or both for each illegal immigrant under his employ.

A person who employs more than 5 illegal immigrants at the same time is liable to imprisonment of not less than 6 months but not more than 5 years and is subject to whipping of not more than 6 strokes.

Upon query on the negotiation and detention at the detention centre, The Ministry of Human Resources refused to give further details.

Renganathan stated that whenever he asked for his salary, Fairuz will threaten to beat him (this happened about 4 times).

Fairuz also threatened to chase Renganathan out without his passport and salary and disclaim him as his worker.

Fairuz had several times mentioned to the workers that if they went out the police would arrest them

Renganathan stated that he did not leave the premises because

(1) He did not know any place to go to
(2) He had no money and had pending salaries with Fairuz
(3) He did not have his passport
(4) He was afraid of being detained
(5) He was discouraged by other workers from running away as he had no documents with him.

Renganathan stated that Fairuz does not take any concern if workers were injured. He gave an example of his co-worker Karuppiah who, a few years ago had a fall and injured his leg and was still asked to work.

Karuppiah complied and continued to work as he had 2 daughters to support and he had unpaid salaries and his passport with Fairuz.
Renganathan stated that the Fairuz’s wife would also visit the shop every now and then.

The workers are also not allowed to eat food prepared for the customers. Instead, food for the workers were prepared separately – one curry vegetable with rice. No meat or fish was given. Only Tea or coffee without milk would be given.

Workers were allowed 10 minutes to finish their meals.

Renganathan stated that Fairuz and the wife wouldn’t allow the workers to eat in front of them. The workers had to wait for them to leave before they could have their food.

Renganathan also stated that the workers also waited for Fairuz and the wife to leave as the employers always scrutinized the food the workers ate.

Workers were not allowed to use the toilet within the restaurant. They had to use the public toilet behind the restaurant or the toilet on the 3rd floor.

Past conduct of police and immigration in relation to the restaurant
Renganathan stated that raids have happened but confined to the restaurant only.

Renganathan stated that there was a serious rat infection in the shop so there were raids by authorities on that issue but no action taken was taken by the employer.

Renganathan also stated that when the workers sighted the police, the undocumented workers will run off before the police came. But the police had not gone up to the 2nd or 3rd floor to check.

Renganathan also stated that Fairuz would organise free meals for Immigration officials 5 or 6 times a year at the restaurant. The workers would be asked to prepare the meals for the Immigration officials.

On day of the Raid – Friday, 25 Jan 2022

Renganathan stated that he was able to lodge a complaint to the Minister of Human Resources. He was not able to give much details on the date of contact. He claimed he had watched the documentary on Velayutham. Presumably he lodged the complaint in the Working For Workers app.

(freemalaysiatoday.com/category/natio…)

Renganathan stated on 24 Feb 2022, he was having fever and did not go down to work. Instead, he went to a clinic nearby to get jabs and medicine for his arm pain.

On the morning of 25 Feb 2022 at about 8am, Fairuz had called Renganathan and asked him to come down to work at 5pm to which Renganathan stated that he was unwell.

At 8.30am, Murugan (a co-worker of Renganathan and driver for the restaurant) told Renganathan that he received a call from Senawang (presumably from the other restaurant) that this restaurant was going to be raided and asked all the workers to go down.

Renganathan stated that he did not leave because he was unwell and that some workers had run off before the raid took place.

Renganathan stated that he received a call from the Minister of Human Resources, Datuk M Saravanan, asking about his whereabouts in the shop.

He informed the Minister that he was on the 3rd floor and was then met by the Minister and the officials.

Urgent requests put forth by Sumitha on 18 Mar 2022 to the Ministry of Human Resources

I requests RP4 to allow Renganathan to speak to his family immediately as he has not spoken to them since 25 Feb 2022. When I requested the same the officer in charge mentioned that Renganathan was under an IPO hence he has not been allowed to call home.

Regardless of whether is under an IPO or PO, he should be allowed communication with his loved ones as a basic human right.

Renganathan requires urgent medical attention for the pain in his right arm.

Renganathan is a vegetarian and finds it difficult to eat food (non-vegetarian) at the shelter. Kindly look into his dietary requirements.