Retrenched workers decline offer

Up in arms: The retrenched workers protesting outside the factory in Banting.

Kuala Langat: More than 500 workers whose services were termi­nated by Megasteel Sdn Bhd in April last year want the company to pay the full retrenchment benefits promised to them.

A group of them gathered at a community hall in Kampung Olak Lempit here on Monday to reject the company’s counter-proposal to only pay 25% of the sum.

Mohd Nu’man Abd Rahim, 37, said he had been waiting for more than a year for his compensation.

“The year end is near and soon; it will be the New Year and a new school term, which means I will need to spend money.

“We want our money and the company should really stop delaying our compensation,” said the former technician, who claimed that he was terminated with less than a 24-hour notice after serving the company for 19 years.

Mohd Nu’man said many non-executive staff like him were supposed to receive between RM30,000 and RM40,000 in benefits depen­ding on their years of service.

“I can’t secure a job and have been selling food at my home and in the night market in Bukit Changgang to make ends meet,” said the father of four children, aged between four and 11.

Former electrical supervisor Raja Arif Shah Raja Osman, 30, said he was frustrated with the compensation that never came.

“The letter detailing my retrenchment benefit gives no deadline on when the compensation will be paid. After waiting for months, I filed a report with the Labour Department.

“I just hope to get my compensation and move on with my life,” said Raja Arif, who now takes on odd jobs to support himself.

Metal Industry Employees’ Union executive secretary G. Rajasekaran said the retrenchment benefits involved more than RM10mil.

“The counter-proposal of 25% pa­yment is too little and unfair to the workers.

“It has been too long and they are frustrated. Everyone rejected it outright,” he said, adding that the union would talk to the company again.

It was reported in April last year that the Lion Group’s ailing steel miller had laid off some 90 executives together with over a hundred others from another subsidiary, Lion DRI Sdn Bhd.

In September last year, Megasteel ceased operations at its 17-year-old flat steel products plant in Ban­­ting.