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Bangladeshi Workers Protest Unpaid Wages and Alleged Abuse by Malaysian Employers
About 100 Bangladeshi migrant workers gathered outside the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment in Dhaka on Monday to demand unpaid wages and fair treatment from Malaysian companies that employed them.
The demonstration, organized by the Migrant Welfare Network, highlighted what participants described as systemic mistreatment of Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia, one of Southeast Asia’s wealthiest economies. Protesters specifically called for unpaid wages and compensation for 431 Bangladeshi workers they claim were exploited by two Malaysian manufacturers: Mediceram and Kawaguchi Manufacturing.
The Migrant Welfare Network urged authorities in both countries, along with international buyers, to ensure workers receive their owed wages, fair compensation, and “justice for systemic abuses.”
According to the advocacy group, a formal complaint alleging forced labor and neglect has been filed with the Malaysian government against Australian company Ansell, a major customer of Mediceram. Mediceram manufactures gloves for medical, industrial, and domestic use. A separate complaint targets Kawaguchi, which supplied plastic components to major Japanese companies including Sony Group.
“In the beginning, they used to pay the salary in parts, meaning they would give 500–1000 ringgit (about $120-$240) per month as food expenses,” said Omar Faruk, a former Kawaguchi employee who began working for the manufacturer in 2022. “After withholding the salary, the company started considering shutting down. Later, we filed a complaint at the Bangladesh High Commission in Malaysia.”
The situation at Kawaguchi became particularly acute in May, when approximately 280 Bangladeshi migrant workers demanded hundreds of thousands of dollars in back wages and other compensation after the company closed five months earlier. Workers at Kawaguchi’s factory in Port Klang filed complaints in Malaysia and Bangladesh claiming the company withheld their wages for up to eight months before shutting down. This closure reportedly came after Sony and Panasonic Holdings Corp., two of Kawaguchi’s main customers, halted orders in response to allegations of worker mistreatment.
Another protester, Harun Or Rasid Liton, who worked at Mediceram, accused the company of failing to comply with a Malaysian Labor Court ruling. “The court ruled that the company would pay us 1,000 ringgit per month, but the company paid only the first installment and then stopped paying,” he explained. “Later, we had no choice but to return to Bangladesh. Now we are facing severe hardship in maintaining our families.”
The Associated Press could not immediately reach Mediceram or Kawaguchi Manufacturing for comment on these allegations.
This labor dispute highlights the vulnerabilities faced by migrant workers in Malaysia’s industrial sector. Many factories in Malaysia and neighboring Southeast Asian countries rely heavily on migrant labor from Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Nepal to fill labor-intensive manufacturing, plantation, and construction jobs. Local workers typically avoid such positions due to poor working conditions and low wages.
The controversy has evolved into a diplomatic issue between Bangladesh and Malaysia, with workers’ rights groups demanding increased scrutiny of recruitment agencies and middlemen who control access to these jobs. These middlemen often charge excessive fees to workers seeking employment abroad, placing them in debt before they even begin working.
Malaysia, with its relatively developed economy, has long been a destination for migrant workers from less affluent parts of Asia. However, reports of exploitation, unsafe working conditions, and wage theft have persisted across various industries, prompting calls for stronger labor protections and enforcement.
The demonstration underscores the ongoing challenges in protecting migrant workers’ rights in global supply chains, particularly when multiple countries, companies, and labor intermediaries are involved. As international attention on labor practices increases, companies like Sony and Panasonic have shown willingness to take action against suppliers accused of worker mistreatment, though critics argue more systematic reforms are needed.
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12 Comments
This is a troubling report. Bangladeshi workers deserve fair wages and humane treatment, no matter where they work. I hope the authorities in both countries can swiftly investigate these claims and ensure the workers receive the compensation they are owed.
Agreed. Wage theft and worker exploitation are unacceptable. The companies involved should be held accountable.
It’s concerning to see migrant workers facing such systemic abuse. I hope the protests lead to real change and stronger protections for vulnerable workers in Malaysia’s manufacturing sector.
Yes, this highlights the need for better labor rights enforcement and transparency in global supply chains. Responsible companies must ensure fair treatment of all workers.
Unpaid wages and mistreatment of migrant workers are serious issues that deserve attention. I’m glad the workers are speaking up, and I hope the authorities take swift action to address these allegations.
Absolutely. Migrant worker exploitation is a global problem that needs urgent solutions. Stronger regulations and oversight are critical to protect vulnerable workers.
This is a concerning report that underscores the need for stronger labor protections and enforcement, especially for vulnerable migrant workers. I hope the authorities in both countries can work together to investigate these claims, ensure the workers are compensated, and implement policies to prevent such exploitation in the future.
Yes, collaborative efforts between countries and across supply chains will be crucial to addressing this systemic problem. Transparency and accountability are key.
It’s good to see the workers protesting and bringing this to light. Wage theft and poor working conditions for migrant laborers are major human rights issues that need to be addressed. I hope the authorities take swift and decisive action to remedy this situation.
Absolutely. Responsible companies and governments must do more to protect the rights and dignity of all workers, regardless of their nationality or immigration status.
This is a troubling situation that highlights the vulnerabilities migrant workers often face. I hope the Bangladeshi and Malaysian governments can work together to investigate these claims, ensure the workers are paid what they are owed, and put stronger safeguards in place to prevent such exploitation in the future.
Yes, a collaborative, cross-border approach will be key to resolving this issue and preventing similar labor abuses. International pressure and accountability will be important.