Commenting on photographs and a video clip of migrant workers being ferried to an assessment centre on a lorry, Tenaganita said it highlighted the “degrading and demeaning treatment” the employees received.

The group’s executive director, Glorene Das, said despite companies reaping millions in profit with the help of migrant workers who would toil for over 12 hours or up to 20, they are still treated in a humiliating manner.

This includes failing to provide proper living spaces and making them work in an environment where it is impossible for SOPs like social distancing to be observed.

“We must name and shame (these companies), without implicating the workers.

“And we really hope the employer or company is punished for putting the lives of the workers at a huge risk, then treating them all in such a humiliating manner,” she told FMT.

Das suggested that the assets of such companies be frozen until they paid compensation for their negligence.

A fine would only be a slap on the wrist, she said.

On Sunday night, Kedah police said an investigation has been opened after photographs and a video clip showing a load of migrant workers with pink wristbands on a lorry in Sungai Petani went online.

Kuala Muda district police chief Adzli Abu Shah said initial investigations showed that they were factory workers of a chicken processing factory at Sungai Lalang in Bedong, Kedah.

He also said 48 workers on the lorry tested positive for Covid-19.

North-South Initiative director Adrian Pereira said company directors and the supply chains should also be identified for their involvement in such “gross abuse of SOPs”.

It’s time to name and shame the board members and supply chains involved, he said, calling for a thorough investigation to determine why SOPs are not being followed.

“We must also study if there is any mismanagement in the issuance of permission letters to operate,” he said.