The migrant Nepali workers , who were protesting against the JCY International company based in southern industrial hub of Johor state in Malaysia, have agreed to return to work from Friday.

According to councilor at Kula Lumpur based Nepali Embassy Hemlal Bhattarai, the agitating workers, in a meeting held on Wednesday, agreed to return to work after the company assured to meet their demands. The work at the company came to a halt due to the workers’ strike.

Bhattarai clarified that 40 Nepalis and 2 Bangladeshis had been arrested by police for their involvement in riots, vandalism and arson of the properties. During the incident, the workers also stoned the office section of the factory and burned a car. The arrested workers are under investigation under the anti-rioting law.

The demands include facility of relief package and salary payment for the remaining period of contract incase of the workers’ death, overtime payments as per the contract paper, facility of sick-leave, availability of free water and electricity, proper management of hostel, among other.

The protest sparked following a death of a Nepali worker, who died due to the company’s negligence for his treatment after he fell sick. Following the incident, the Nepali workers took to protests putting forth various demands leading to violent riots. Police were heavily mobilised at the Kulaijaya and Tebrau based JCY company premises following the incident.

“We have stopped the protest after the company has agreed to meet our demands. Situation is normal now. We will begin work from Friday,” said a worker seeking anonymity “However, our friends who have been arrested, must be released. The Embassy and the company must help in this regard” he added.

A Nepali employee, 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 where an estimated 1,600 Nepali works.

It is learnt that a Nepali had died in the same company in 2010 as well.

Published on: 29 August 2014 | The Kathmandu Post