Kuala Lumpur, June 27: Fifteen south Indian workers employed in three Malaysian restaurants in Salak, South and Kajang have sought refuge with the Indian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur after their employer refused to pay their salaries for the past seven months.

One of the workers P. Palani, 40, said they had arrived from India in 2004 and had started work in the three restaurants, which was owned by one person.

The Star quoted him as saying that they were paid their salaries promptly until recently. He said the money received was sent to their families in India.

Palani said they were only paid 600-700 ringgit a month but were required to work for 10 to 12 hours daily. There were times when they had to work longer hours.

He hoped their employer would return their passports and settle their outstanding salaries so that they could return to India.

An Indian High Commission officer said the employer had agreed to meet mission officials to discuss the matter.

Palani said arrangements were being made for the 15 workers to be sent back to India.

He said their travel documents were with their employer and the work permit of some workers had expired.

He said these workers were housed in a hall in Batu Caves. (ANI)