What Happened to the Bangladeshi Restaurant Owner Arrested in Southampton? BCA Responds to Exploitation Claims

Mr. S. Mia, the Bangladeshi owner of the restaurant "Jehangir" in Southampton, has been accused of mistreating three work permit holders, committing wage-related irregularities, and evicting them from their housing, though he was recently released after being briefly arrested by police.

According to the allegations, the three victimized employees are Mohammad Rubel Mia, Faiz Ahmed, and Hafiz Ahmed. Relevant sources claim they were working at the establishment with valid work permits.

Several members of the local expatriate community alleged that the workers were not regularly provided with pay slips, and ongoing disputes persisted regarding their due wages and other rights. The dispute reportedly escalated last Friday when the workers demanded their rightful remuneration and legal rights.

The complainants claim that at one point, Mr. S. Mia not only forced the three workers out of the premises but also ordered them to vacate their accommodation, plunging them into severe hardship.

Employee Rubel Ahmed stated, "He has been treating us poorly like this. Last Friday, we complained to the police, and he was arrested that same day. He was released on bail after 24 hours. Currently, I am under police observation and will pursue my legal battle."

To obtain the response of the restaurant owner, this reporter and the office of Daily Dazzling Dawn attempted to contact him via messages and direct phone calls starting Tuesday night, but he did not respond.

However, citing a source defending him, it was claimed that Mr. S. Mia is not a novice businessman. The same source claimed that police are investigating whether the complainants are playing the victim and staging these dramas to apply for asylum.

It is worth noting that allegations have long persisted against a certain segment of restaurant owners in the UK, involving selling work permits for fifteen to twenty thousand pounds, underpaying employees on work permits while forcing them to work under inhumane conditions, and engaging in mistreatment.

President of the Bangladesh Caterers Association (BCA), Oli Khan MBE told to Daily Dazzling Dawn reporter 

“This is very unfortunate. We learned about the incident through you and have looked into the accuracy of the information received. The BCA will certainly stand by those affected and provide all the necessary support and assistance they need.”