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CNA Malaysia | English | News | Nov. 12, 2025 | Strikes and Work Stoppages

About 100 Bangladeshi workers employed by Malaysian companies protested on November 10, 2025, outside the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment in Dhaka, demanding unpaid wages, fair compensation, and an end to alleged mistreatment by their Malaysian employers. The protest was organized by the Migrant Welfare Network, a group based in Malaysia and Bangladesh, highlighting the exploitation of 431 workers by two Malaysian firms, Mediceram and Kawaguchi Manufacturing.

The workers claimed that companies withheld wages for several months and subjected employees to poor conditions. For instance, Kawaguchi employees reported receiving partial payments as food expenses before the company shut down, leaving them unpaid for up to eight months. Mediceram was also accused of ignoring a Malaysian Labour Court order to pay RM1,000 monthly, paying only one installment. These disputes have caused significant hardship for the workers who had to return to Bangladesh.

Complaints have been filed against these companies, including allegations of forced labor and neglect. The complaint against Mediceram implicates Australian company Ansell, a major customer, while Kawaguchi has ties to Japanese companies like Sony Group. The protests and complaints have intensified diplomatic tensions between Bangladesh and Malaysia, with calls for authorities and international buyers to take urgent action to ensure fair treatment and payment for migrant workers.

The situation highlights broader issues faced by migrant workers in Southeast Asia, who often fill labor-intensive jobs avoided by local workers due to poor working conditions and low wages. Rights groups have also raised concerns about the recruitment agencies and middlemen who dominate the labor market, demanding stricter oversight to prevent systemic abuses.