KUCHING: If anyone receives an offer to work in the timber camp in Solomon Islands it is wise not to accept.
The high pay promised might not be true, worst still you might not get paid at all and forced to work like slaves.
The working environment is also dangerous and you are exposed to infectious diseases like malaria, said Ugot Masam, 31, one of many Sarawakians who were working at timber camps in Solomon Island.
Ugot related his experience when met at the Kuching International Airport (KIA) on Friday upon his return from Solomon Islands. He said during his six months working there he was admitted thrice to the hospital.
He said his employer only allowed him to stay in the hospital for one night after which he had to suffer in the timber camp.
Ugot and five other workers from Sarawak (two from Miri and three from Kapit) escaped from the timber camp recently after they had worked there for six excruciating months.
Another of the returnees, Menlingang Laja, 44, who went twice to Solomon Islands to work in the timber camp there swore he would never go there again.
“I have learned from this very bad experience and I will not want to get caught into the trap of those irresponsible people promising lucrative salary,” said Menlingang.
Menlingang said the first he went to work in Solomon Island was last year but worked with a different employer and did not encounter any problem.
Edau Mengit and Ricky Alex also said they have learned their lesson and would not be easily attracted to work abroad ever again.
The six Sarawakians came home on Friday claiming they were cheated by their employer who is a Sarawakian from Marudi.
They claimed of not being paid their salaries although they were forced to work like slaves every day and given little food.
The six are Anyie Ngau and Dennis Anyie Ngau from Baram; Edau, Menlingang, Ricky and Ugot who are all from Kapit.
They had escaped from the timber company with the help of a security guard there and boarded a lorry to the Malaysian consulate office there to seek help.
Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr James Masing paid for their flights back home after he learned about their plights from Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau and Hulu Rajang Member of Parliament Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong, who earlier received phone calls from the six persons.
Their return was arranged by the Third Secretary in the High Commission of Malaysia office in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea (PNG) Mohd Rezza Mohd Yusof.
