22 workers stranded in S. Kalimantan

BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: The South Kalimantan provincial legislative council has called on recruitment agency PT Andromeda Graha to take responsibility for 22 workers who left their jobs in East Malaysia's Sarawak after being deceived about the level of their salaries.

Bastian Thaib, chairman of the provincial legislature's Commission I on legal and administrative affairs, said PT Andromeda had to be responsible for the workers after the company secured them work with Rimbunan Hijau Plywood BHN in Sarawak.

"Andromeda should find another company to employ the workers because they have each paid Rp 10 million (US$1000) to the company," he said here on Thursday.

The workers returned home after being employed for two days because they were paid far lower than the rate set by the agency. Before their departure for Sarawak, they were promised wages of between seven (Malaysian) ringgit and 13 ringgit per day.

Meanwhile, Jimmy, a lawyer representing the workers, said he would sue PT Andromeda through the district court for deceiving the workers. --Antara