152 Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia protest forced repatriation

At least 152 Bangladeshi migrant workers in Malaysia today wrote an open letter, protesting forced repatriation and urging the Bangladesh mission in Kuala Lumpur, international organisations and civil society groups to intervene in their case of termination by their employer Mediceram.

About 180 Bangladeshi workers were handed termination letters on October 31 as they protested non-renewal of visas of more than 90 fellow workers.

On November 4, Malaysian authorities deported 10 of them after the gloves company executives forcibly took them to the airport in Kuala Lumpur.

On November 7, additional six Bangladeshis were deported the same way.

Meanwhile, the group of 152 workers living in fear and intimidation in Selangor district appointed Louis Liaw Chambers as their legal counsel to legally support their case and wrote an open letter to express their collective and united position regarding the ongoing situation.

"Despite continuous threats, intimidation, and the forced repatriation of our democratically elected worker representatives, we have collectively decided that we will not go back to work under the same management and conditions that violated our dignity, rights, and safety," said the letter.

They sought an immediate transfer to a law-abiding and responsible employer in Malaysia.

"We respectfully call upon the governments of Bangladesh and Malaysia, as well as all relevant authorities, to support this transfer process urgently and ensure our continued lawful employment in Malaysia."

They said they do not want to be forcibly sent back to Bangladesh.

"We will peacefully and lawfully resist any attempt at forced repatriation. We remain committed to abiding by the laws and regulations of Malaysia, while standing firm in our right to dignity, justice, and fair treatment," they said.

They urge all concerned parties including the Malaysian authorities, the Bangladesh High Commission, international organisations, and civil society groups to take immediate notice of their situation and intervene to protect their fundamental rights as migrant workers.

These migrants went to Malaysia in 2023, paying amounts ranging from Tk 450,000 to Tk 600,000. The company has been irregular in payments, as well as made low pays, causing debt to the migrants.

There are about 800,000 Bangladeshis working in Malaysia, which faced criticism for approving a syndicate of 101 recruiting agencies in 2022. Between 2022 and 2024, more than 450,000 Bangladeshis migrated to Malaysia.

It suspended recruitment of foreign workers, including Bangladeshis, on May 31 last year amid allegations of syndication, excessive recruitment fees and labour abuses.