NILAI: Fifty-seven security guards are demanding their former employer settle unpaid wages and claims, amounting to RM4,000 each.
They allege the company has ignored a Labour Department order to make the payments, forcing some to turn to loan sharks for help.
One of the workers, S Uthaya Kumar, 29, said they had been employed by the company since June last year, assigned to various Seremban City Council (MBS) premises.
"Despite working 12-hour shifts, the company didn't pay overtime. They also denied us leave. When issues arose with MBS, the company's contract was terminated, leaving us all jobless.
"To make matters worse, they withheld our final month's salary and overtime pay. Some of us still haven't found new jobs," he said.
Uthaya added that on June 18, the affected workers lodged a complaint with the Labour Department, which ordered the company to settle 12 days of back wages and the RM4,000 claim by Sept 15.
However, no payments have been made, leading the workers to file a follow-up with the department, which then issued a warning letter to the company.
"We also reached out to MBS and state officials for assistance. The Labour Department has since ordered the company to immediately settle all outstanding payments.
"We desperately need the money to survive and hope this can be resolved soon," Uthaya said.
Another worker, M Kamalveni, 42, who has worked as a security guard for 15 years, said this is the first time she has faced such an issue.
She said she urgently needs the claim paid to cover her rent, which is three months overdue.
The 58-year-old single mother said she had to borrow RM2,500 from loan sharks to cover rent and bills after the promised payment was delayed.
"I'm worried for my safety since I can't repay the loan. I hope the company will pay the wages and the RM4,000 claim as ordered by the Labour Department," she said.
The New Straits Times has contacted the Labour Department and is awaiting a response.