Bird nest company director, HR manager remanded over worker exploitation

The director of a bird's nest company with 'Datuk' title and his human resources manager were remanded for seven days beginning yesterday to facilitate the investigation into alleged involvement in worker exploitation.

The remand orders were issued by Magistrate Nor Asma Ahmad at the Magistrate's Court here.

Nor Asma also issued temporary protection order for 21 days beginning Wednesday on 51 Indonesian female workers, aged between 19 and 27, who claimed to have been exploited by the 'Datuk'.

A source close to the investigation said the suspects, both aged 29, were being detained to facilitate investigations under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants (ATIPSOM) Act 2007, Immigration Act and Employment Act.

Based on initial statements, it was learnt that the female workers were not satisfied with the management who had forced them to work extra hours without being paid accordingly, the source said.

On Tuesday, the Home Ministry's Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants (MAPO) unit arrested the 29-year-old 'Datuk' at the bird's nest factory here following a three-week surveillance.

Initial investigations revealed that the 'Datuk' had allegedly exploited 172 women employees comprising locals, Indonesian and Myanmar nationals to work for more than 16 hours daily without rest days. --Bernama