The workers also claimed their employers ordered them to work up to 16 hours a day at a construction site nearby, paying them only about RM60 a day, according to a report by Harian Metro.

They were discovered during an integrated operation last night involving the Peninsular Malaysia labour department, the Sepang town council, immigration department and police.

The report said the house was cluttered and dirty, and its floors were oily and sticky.

It is understood that the Bangladeshis work at the same construction site despite being employed by different individuals, and had moved into the apartment several weeks ago.

“It is hard to find work elsewhere. Working here is okay. Construction work is from 8am to midnight,” one of them said.

“Our pay is RM60 a day. We do not need to pay for the house, but we have to cook our own meals.”

In a statement, Peninsular Malaysia labour department director-general Kamal Pardi said the inspection, involving 56 personnel, found 30 Bangladeshi men living in three units in the same apartment.

He said their employers had failed to provide conducive living conditions.

“We received complaints from the public that a group of foreigners were living here in fairly large numbers.

“Based on our inspection, the units were occupied by nine to 15 people each,” he told reporters.

Kamal said the workers had to sleep on mats or sheets of cloth, and were not provided beds, cupboards or other basic amenities.

He said that under the Workers’ Minimum Standards of Housing and Amenities (Amendment) Act 2019, employers are required to provide conducive living conditions and sufficient basic amenities.

He said those that rented out the houses will be summoned to assist in the investigation.