KUALA LUMPUR (April 29): Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd (KLK) said that it had completed all reimbursements of recruitment and related fees in compliance with the group’s strict no-recruitment-fee policy.

This announcement was made following recent allegations of unethical recruitment practices by SOS Manpower Service’s sub-agents in Nepal.

KLK subsidiary KL-Kepong Rubber Products Sdn Bhd's (KLKRP) agent in Malaysia for foreign workers in Nepal is Agensi Pekerjaan Ukhwah Sdn Bhd, which in turn has appointed SOS Manpower as an agent in Nepal to assist with recruitment.

“We do not condone the action of imposing recruitment and related fees on workers at any stage during the recruitment process,” said KLK in a statement on Monday.

KLK said that while the internal investigation continues, the group had also taken steps to enlist an independent third party to examine the claims and provide an unbiased assessment.

“We take all whistle-blowing reports seriously, and are deeply concerned with this matter. Based on the findings, we are prepared to take all necessary and appropriate actions, including possible termination,” it said.

In addition, the group said all incoming arrivals of foreign workers from Nepal had been temporarily halted while the investigation is ongoing.

“We are committed to complying with all international standards and labour laws, both locally and in the source countries, governing recruitment practices, and will take all steps to address any gap and implement corrective measures,” it noted.

KLK added that KLKRP had also informed all its workers to raise this issue if there are cases of workers paying recruitment and related fees, and also reimbursed all its workers who had previously paid such fees.

“We will continue to provide updates as the investigation progresses, and remain committed to upholding the highest standards of ethical conduct and protecting the rights of our foreign workers,” it said. 

https://www.theedgemarkets.com/node/709783