KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 21 — Local labour supply agency Human Connection HR (M) Sdn Bhd has strongly refuted media allegations that the company exploits migrant workers employed by their clients here.

Responding to allegations published by the media on the mistreatment of a small group of Nepalese workers, Human Connection HR said the company has always fully abided by Malaysian laws and standards in conducting their business.

“All allegations that a group of Nepalese workers were exploited, cheated and mistreated by us are untrue, baseless and totally without foundation,” said K.H. Lee, Human Connection HR’s business and operation director. “Human Connection HR has always treated our workers fairly, with full dignity and respect.”

Human Connection HR was established in 2003 with the slogan “Serve you better.” The company maintains close communications with its clients to cater to their labour needs as well as preserve and promote a healthy working environment for their workers.

“We are constantly striving to be the top agency in our industry,” said Lee. “Providing good, trainable, hard-working labour for the Malaysian market is our core business, so why would we jeopardise our business and reputation by not taking care of our employees? Also, are the reports accurate? Have the media been misled?”

Piyush Sunwar, Kul Bahadur Karki, KH Lee and Rakesh Sani in the flat Rakesh shares with five other Nepalese workers.
Piyush Sunwar, Kul Bahadur Karki, KH Lee and Rakesh Sani in the flat Rakesh shares with five other Nepalese workers.

Lee said all labour supply agencies in Malaysia are the ones that carry the main burden of risks for the industry.

“We are the ones that source, identify the right talent, co-ordinate with agencies from the workers’ countries of origin, transport, house, train, manage payroll and also help workers with all their needs once they are here in Malaysia.

“And on top of this, we are the ones that take the risk of paying upfront all required fees for each worker. We only earn when our workers show up for their jobs at our clients’ place.”

On allegations that workers were misled about their pay and cheated of their wages, Lee said that Human Connection HR had made numerous efforts to communicate with the client in question to raise salaries in compliance with the Minimum Wage policy.

“During the early stages of the recruitment process, both Human Connection HR and our client agreed that salaries would be adjusted in accordance with the latest minimum wage policies and laws,” said Lee, adding that Human Connection HR had all the necessary correspondences with the client as proof of their agreement.

“We work very closely with all our clients to ensure that we fulfill their labour needs satisfactorily and at the same time comply with local practices and regulations,” he said. “We take our client’s queries very seriously as we depend on satisfied clients. Our core business is to serve all our clients better.”

Lee also refuted allegations that the group of Nepalese had their travel documents confiscated. “Labour supply agencies retain foreign employees’ passports as this makes renewal and other application and immigration processes easier and more transparent.”

Rakesh shows Lee a CD of Nepalese music... Rakesh works in a factory making ice cream and likes visiting KLCC on his day off.
Rakesh shows Lee a CD of Nepalese music... Rakesh works in a factory making ice cream and likes visiting KLCC on his day off.

On claims that workers had complained about squalid conditions in accommodation provided by the company, Lee said Human Connection HR had always placed the welfare of their workers first. He added that the licensed Nepalese agency responsible for the departure and arrival of workers to their employer in Malaysia would also have fully explained to workers about their living arrangements here.

“All our workers have free access to their homes without any restriction or interference from Human Resources HR,” he said. “We also respond swiftly with regards to worker complaints, and have gone above and beyond in trying to settle any issues that may arise.”

As an example, Lee pointed out that the company conducts yearly upgrading and repairs to worker hostels to ensure employees had access to proper living conditions. Human Resources HR’s commitment to look into the welfare of their workers has resulted in some of them staying with the company for more than five years.

Lee said Human Connection HR has sought legal advice to deal with the untrue and defamatory allegations as claimed by the media.

“We have provided manpower to local companies in various industries with a spotless track record and no complaints,” said Lee. “We base our operations on a win-win policy for all parties, and as such, see no reason whatsoever to blemish our reputation by misleading our clients or workers after all these years.

“Once again, we deny all allegations made by the media, and hope that our clarification on this matter clears any doubts. We look forward to working together with all concerned parties to resolve these unfounded allegations as soon as possible and move forward.”