Migrant workers at a Samsung microwave factory in Malaysia find themselves with large debts to labour agencies and work twelve to fourteen hours a day with very little time to eat or drink. The Guardian describes their dire circumstances in a recent article.
Many migrant workers in Malaysia are hired through third-party recruitment agencies from Nepal, Indonesia, India and Bangladesh. The promise of a good job at a big brand factory, Samsung, is convincing them to pay a large sum in advance. The debt and sky-high interest that follow become a burden for these workers. They feel like they have no choice but to continue working for Samsung, because they need to pay off their debts.
To read Samsung’s response to the allegations, read the full article over at the Guardian website.
