'Job Scam': 33 Bangladeshis Sue Malaysian Firm, Government for Tk 4.8 Crore Compensation

The case was filed at the High Court in Shah Alam, Malaysia, on March 12, with the local rights organization Tenaganita bringing it to public attention on Saturday. The lawsuit names recruitment company Meranti Binamas Sdn Bhd, the secretary-general of the human resources ministry, the director-general of the immigration department, and the government agency responsible for regulating public servants as defendants.

In addition to seeking compensation, the workers demand a declaration that they are victims of human trafficking and job scams, hold the authorities accountable for negligence, and request a court order to prevent their detention by immigration authorities while the case is ongoing. According to the statement of claim, Meranti Binamas recruited the workers with promises of construction jobs, which the Bangladesh High Commission in Malaysia verified as genuine offers.

The workers were assured a minimum monthly salary of RM1,500 (around Tk 60,000), including overtime opportunities. However, each was forced to pay RM25,000 (over Tk 7 lakh) for quota approvals, levies, temporary work passes, health checks, and agent commissions. They later discovered that such expenses should have been covered by their employer. The workers arrived in Malaysia in groups between June and October 2023.

Upon arrival, they were required to surrender their passports and travel documents before being housed in dormitories in Kuala Lumpur. They soon realized the job offers were fraudulent and were confined to the dorms, receiving only basic supplies like raw food to prepare for themselves.

Eventually, the workers filed a complaint with Tenaganita, which prompted an investigation by the labour department.