Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain said investigations revealed that the complaints were related to unpaid wages, dating back to 2013, involving victims aged between 14 and 20 from Miri, Sarawak; Rawang, Selangor; and Alor Setar, Kedah.

He said the company also failed to provide allowances to the affected workers.

“These incidents can be classified as forced labour under Section 90B of the Employment Act 1995,” he said when contacted by Bernama.

Razarudin added that the reports were filed after authorities urged GISBH’s victims of labour exploitation to come forward.

On Sept 8, the labour court in Johor ordered GISBH to pay RM23,100 to a former employee who had not received any wages during his employment with the company.

The victim had claimed unpaid wages amounting to RM114,000 for the period between January and December 2020, and RM95,000 for January to December 2021, totalling RM209,000.