Malaysia: Migrant Worker Faces Deportation for Speaking Out

Bangladeshi Worker Faces Deportation After Meeting With Adviser in Malaysia

A Bangladeshi migrant worker in Malaysia is facing deportation and 60 others have been threatened with the same after speaking to Expatriates' Welfare Adviser Prof Asif Nazrul about poor working conditions, according to several workers.

The management of Mediceram, a rubber glove manufacturer based in Negeri Sembilan, reportedly summoned Nahid Ibrahim and informed him that his work permit would be revoked and he would be sent back to Bangladesh. This came a day after workers met with the adviser during his official visit to Malaysia from May 13 to 16. Prof Asif also held talks with three Malaysian ministers about reopening the labour market for Bangladeshi workers and addressing ongoing grievances.

Malaysia had suspended recruitment from Bangladesh in May last year amid allegations of irregularities in the hiring process.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a factory worker said, “We were shocked to hear about Nahid's deportation. When we protested, the management claimed it had a list of 60 workers marked for deportation.”

In response, nearly 200 workers launched a strike on Friday.

In an email addressed to Prof Asif’s private secretary Sarwoer Alam — also sent to the Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur — Nahid alleged that the company monitored his conversation with the adviser and retaliated. “All of a sudden, they called me in and said I would be deported,” he wrote.

Nahid, who arrived in Malaysia on a three-year contract, said his visa expires in August and that he is still repaying debts of over Tk 5 lakh incurred to secure the job. He also claimed the company frequently delayed or partially withheld wages.

Workers say they each paid Tk 5 to 6 lakh to a recruitment agency, Greenland, though they were forced to falsely declare on camera that the cost was Tk 78,000. They allege months of irregular pay, leading to worsening debt and family hardships back home.

After failing to get redress from the Labour Court or the High Commission, the workers sought help from migrant rights activist Andy Hall. Following external audits, Mediceram agreed to repay RM 22,500 in recruitment costs, beginning with an advance of RM 1,000. The rest was to be paid in 12 monthly installments, a plan the workers say is unmanageable.

The letter submitted to Prof Asif on May 14 also revealed that Mediceram had previously deported 35 workers without notice. Work permits for 170 others have not been renewed — some have been undocumented for one to two years. Four were even arrested due to expired visas, with the company offering no support, workers claim.

They urged immediate renewal of their visas and called for a one-time payment of the recruitment fees.

Prof Asif, during his visit, advised the workers to pursue peaceful dialogue and provided contact information for follow-up. Neither he nor his private secretary responded to calls for comment.

The Daily Star has also reached out to Mediceram for their response to the allegations but received no reply as of last night.