Workers' brawl over unpaid wages sparks concern in Sabah

18 April 2023

By Wartawan Nabalu News

KOTA KINABALU: A violent clash between a group of construction workers and their employer over delayed salaries has prompted the Sabah government to urge workers not to resort to violence to settle their labour disputes.

The incident, which occurred on Saturday at the Shinsung E&G office, a subcontractor for Hyundai Engineering, was captured on video and circulated on social media.

The video showed several workers slapping and punching three men, who were reportedly injured and sent to Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

Sabah industrial development and entrepreneurship minister Phoong Jin Zhe said he was worried about the situation and had contacted SK Nexilis, the main contractor of the project for building a copper foil production factory at the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park (KKIP).

He said the workers were unhappy with the postponement of their salary payment, which was supposed to be made on April 5 but was delayed until April 18 due to some internal reasons.

"All parties should not try to resolve such matters through violence as it will not lead to any solution. Both sides should sit down and communicate to reach a settlement," he said in a statement.

He added that he was closely monitoring the situation and had received assurances from SK Nexilis and Hyundai Engineering that the salaries would be paid by tomorrow or Tuesday.

He also said that KKIP CEO Lawrence G Kimkuan would have a meeting with SK Nexilis and related parties soon.