Ikea Malaysia has cut ties with a labour recruitment firm that provides security guards after it had violated the retailer’s policies. IKEA said it initiated an investigation following claims that Nepali security guards had to fork out US$1,000 (RM4,400) to obtain the job, according to the Financial Times.

But this isn’t just an isolated problem. In fact, the issue of labour brokers and recruitment agencies is one that has been plaguing Malaysia for years, with dire consequences.