Estate workers want manager out

During a meeting with MIC leader S Vell Paari, Nigel Garder estate workers reveal that their main problem is the manager.

HULU SELANGOR: A group of Nigel Gardner estate workers met with MIC publicity and communication chief S Vell Paari on Saturday to air their grouses.
The meeting was held at a temple located outside the estate.

On Friday, Berjaya Group, which owns the estate, had denied Vell Paari permission to meet the workers inside Nigel Gardner.

In a letter, Berjaya general manager Sandy Tham stated that the meeting could not be held inside the estate as a mark of respect for the King, since Saturday was his birthday.

The workers also claimed that security at the entrance of the estate was beefed up just in case Vell Paari decided to show up.

After visiting the estate two weeks ago, Vell Paari said that he was appalled by the living conditions of the workers and mooted the idea of relocating them.

Subsequently, Berjaya, owned by tycoon Vincen Tan, denied that it was ill-treating or subjecting its workers to slave-like conditions.

The more than an hour long meeting at the temple kicked off at 3pm, and was attended by some 15 workers.

Those who attended claimed that many workers were afraid to come because the estate management had allegedly threatened to terminate their employment.

Their main grouse was with the estate manager, whom the workers claimed had failed to look after their welfare

“Our main problem is the manager. We just want him transferred out. During the Hulu Selangor by-election (in 2009), MIC leaders promised us that if we voted for them, the manager will be moved out.
“That’s why we voted for P Kamalanathan. But the manager is still here and Kamalanathan is never around,” complained a worker who declined to be named.

’50kg fertiliser bags’

Another worker complained about how the women in the estate had to drag 50kg bags of fertiliser up a steep hill.

“According to the agreement with the National Union of Plantation Workers (NUPW), each worker should only be assigned 12 bags per day. Each bag weighs 50kg. But in Nigel Gardner the women are forced to empty 18 to 20 bags,” he claimed, adding that prolonged exposure to the fertiliser could cause health complications.

The worker also disputed the estate management’s claim that special equipment were given to carry the bags.

Apart from this, the disgruntled workers also complained about the low wages, lack of public transportation and houses not being mended.

As for the relocation plan, some were receptive to the idea but others were afraid of moving to a township where the cost of living was higher.

“If we move to a town, there will be pasar malam and KFC, the children will asks us to buy things for them. How can we afford? Here in the estate, there is nothing. The nearest town is about 40km away, so the children don’t ask us for anything,” said a mother of three.

FMT learnt that in 2003, Barisan Nasional had promised the workers houses. The promise was repeated again during the by-election but there was nothing in black and white.

“Many of the residents are hesitant about moving out because they are afraid of losing the opportunity to own houses, should that ever materialise,” said a source.

However, the workers agreed to relocate if the manager was not transferred.

‘Put your complaints in writing’

Meanwhile, Vell Paari called on the worker’s representatives to list out all the grouses and demands on paper by the end of this week. He also asked for another list detailing the personal problems faced by each family in the estate.

Following this, he said that the complaints would be sent to Berjaya as well as to the Prime Minister’s Office, which had also requested for a copy.

“MIC president G Palanivel (the former MP for Hulu Selangor) will also be given a copy, and he has promised to personally talk to Vincent Tan about this matter.

“We’ll give Berjaya a time period to act on the complaints. If they fail to address the problems, then we’ll look at other avenues, perhaps some drastic measures.

“There is also the possibility that they want these workers out so that they can hire cheaper foreign labour. If that is the case, then we take them to court for constructive dismissal,” he said.

Urging the workers not to be afraid, Vell Paari also explained to the workers that the labour law did not allow arbitrary sackings.

“They know that you are ignorant of the law, so they take advantage of this. The next time, they do this, ask them to put it in writing, file a police report and notify me,” he said.
Previously, Berjaya’s senior management had promised to look into the complaints raised by the workers.