Prosecution to probe alleged abuse of Bangladeshi chefs

Md. Mohiuddin, center, poses with participants at an international sports competition in Korea where he cooked halal food. / Courtesy of the chef

By Choi Ha-young

A Bangladeshi-born restaurant owner is facing an indictment on charges of embezzling the wages of two chefs from his native country who worked for him.

The owner, a naturalized Korean surnamed Kim, allegedly withdrew some 131 million won ($112,600) from the bank accounts of the two chefs ― Md. Mohiuddin and Kamrul Hasan. They had worked at Kim’s restaurant in Itaewon, Seoul, beginning in 2010, with proper visas.

According to police, Kim kept their passports and alien registration certificates.

In September last year, The Korea Times reported the alleged abuse case and the police recently referred it to the prosecution after completing an initial investigation.

One of Kim’s business partners who allegedly helped him abuse the chefs will also face charges.

In an

interview

last year, the chefs claimed they worked 12 hours a day with only two days off a month, but received 30,000 taka ($377) to 70,000 taka in monthly salary from Kim.

“I am grateful to the police for inspecting our case and I look forward to quick measures by the prosecution,” Mohiuddin said.

The two chefs are currently waiting for extensions of their visas, but are suffering from financial difficulties after losing their jobs.