Tumbuk Estate: How long more to wait?

Tumbuk Estate: How long more to wait? from Indrani Kopal on Vimeo.

Tumbuk Estate: How long more to wait
Indrani Kopal | May 4, 2010

The long-promised housing scheme for ex-workers of Tumbuk estate is now still nowhere in sight.

The former workers who are currently residing at the estate quarters are demanding for the housing scheme promised to them by their former employer, MAIKA Holding Bhd.

In 2006, MAIKA promised to undertake and complete a housing scheme that was supposed to have commenced construction in April 2008 but till today this has not happened.

In the deal that transpired between the workers, MAIKA Holding and the plantation union NUPW was that, when the workers were terminated on 31 Mar 2006, they will be given their termination benefits and ex-gratia payment in accordance with the labour law.

And it was also agreed then that the promised workers' ex-gratia payment will be utilized to settle the down payment for the purchase of property under the workers housing scheme.

Dreams were built on the promises made.

Four years down the road, concerns are raised when nothing when nothing has been implemented, although many meetings were held and housing plans were shown.

Two of the workers shared with Malaysiakini their grievances.


FULL STORY HERE

Camera: Maran Perianen
Photos: Arvind Raj
Voice over: Oliver Kumareyan Shanmukam