Bangladeshi Workers Demand Wages Amid Allegations of Abuse in Malaysia

Approximately 100 Bangladeshi workers employed in Malaysia staged a protest on March 11, 2024, demanding unpaid wages and better treatment from their employers. Organized by the Migrant Welfare Network, the demonstration took place at the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Workers expressed their grievances over what they describe as systemic abuse and exploitation in one of Southeast Asia’s wealthiest nations.

The workers specifically called for outstanding wages and compensation for 431 Bangladeshi nationals who they claim were mistreated by two Malaysian companies, Medicem and Kawaguchi Manufacturing. The Associated Press was unable to obtain comments from the companies regarding these allegations.

Claims of Abuse and Unpaid Wages

Migrant labor plays a crucial role in Malaysia’s economy, with many factories depending on workers from countries such as Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Nepal for labor-intensive positions in manufacturing, plantations, and construction. Local workers often avoid these jobs due to poor working conditions and low pay.

The Migrant Welfare Network urged both Bangladeshi and Malaysian authorities, along with international buyers, to act swiftly to ensure that workers receive their due wages, fair compensation, and justice for reported abuses. On Monday, the organization stated that it had filed complaints with the Malaysian government against Ansell, an Australian company and significant customer of Mediceram, for claims of forced labor and neglect. A separate complaint was lodged against Kawaguchi, which provides plastic components to major Japanese firms, including Sony Group.

In May 2023, around 280 Bangladeshi migrant workers employed by Kawaguchi protested for substantial back wages after the company halted operations five months prior. Workers reported that Kawaguchi’s factory in Port Klang withheld wages for as long as eight months before shutting down, following allegations of mistreatment that led to major clients like Panasonic Holdings Corp. suspending orders.

Personal Accounts of Exploitation

Former Kawaguchi employee Omar Faruk, who started working at the factory in 2022, shared his experience of wage manipulation. “Initially, they would pay parts of the salary, providing 500 to 1,000 ringgit (approximately $120 to $240) monthly for food expenses,” he explained. “After they stopped paying our salaries, the company began considering closure. We later filed a complaint with the Bangladesh High Commission in Malaysia.”

Harun Or Rasid Liton, another worker from Mediceram, voiced similar concerns, recounting his struggles after the Malaysian Labor Court ordered the company to pay him 1,000 ringgit per month. “The company paid only the first installment and then ceased payments,” he said. “We had no choice but to return to Bangladesh, and now we are facing severe difficulties in supporting our families.”

Reports of abuse against Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia have led to increasing tensions between the two nations. Workers’ rights groups are calling for stricter oversight of recruitment agencies and intermediaries that dominate the labor market, which they believe exploit vulnerable workers.

The situation underscores the broader issues of labor rights and protections that continue to challenge migrant workers in Malaysia. As protests and complaints escalate, it remains imperative for authorities to address these critical concerns to prevent further exploitation and ensure fair treatment for all workers.