KUCHING, MALAYSIA – Hundreds of laid-off Sanmina employees staged a peaceful demonstration this week to express frustration over delays by the Malaysian Labour Department in hearing their case, say published reports.

In addition to the company's severance, the former employees are asking for 20 more days of wages for each year of service.

Some 835 former staff met in front of the building where the Labour Dept. is located. Representatives of the workers later held a private meeting with officers of the Labour court. Their case is now scheduled to be heard Jan. 25.

The committee representing the workers is complaining about the red tape associated with the case, including all complainants having to provide further figures and sign forms again, despite having a representative.

The total claim is RM2 million to RM2.5 million.