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Human Rights
For Immediate Release 27th Feb 2026: Comment Attributable to Andy Hall, Independent Migrant Worker Rights Specialist, on the Dyson/ATA (Malaysia) Landmark Forced Labour Case Settlement Announcement
For Immediate Release 27th Feb 2026: Comment Attributable to Andy Hall, Independent Migrant Worker Rights Specialist, on the Dyson/ATA IMS
February 27, 2026
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Forced Labour
ABC 17th Feb 2026: Australian Anti-slavery commissioner calls for tougher laws amid forced labour concerns for Ansell (MediCeram, Malaysia) and KMart
ABC 17th Feb 2026: Australian Anti-slavery commissioner calls for tougher laws amid forced labour concerns for Ansell (MediCeram, Malaysia) and
February 17, 2026
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Human Rights
23rd Jan 2026 Bloomberg World Exclusive on Alleged Criminal Syndicate Trafficking Bangladeshi Workers for Forced Labour in Malaysia | The Big Take: EVERYONE GETS A CUT, AND MIGRANT WORKERS PAY THE PRICE
(UPDATED Story by Bloomberg on 16th April 2026: Malaysia Plans to Use Tycoon Amin’s New Migrant Worker System – see
January 23, 2026
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Forced Labour
14 Jan 2026 PRESS RELEASE: UK High Court rules that forced labour and exploitation claims against Dyson (ATA Malaysia case) will be tried next year
— Solicitors Journal 14th Jan 2026: Limbu v Dyson: High Court orders liability trial for migrant workers’ exploitation claims 14
January 14, 2026
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Debt Bondage
FMT 26th Dec 2025: Bangladeshi workers obtain court injunction against mould manufacturer Mediceram (Ansell supplier) in Malaysia
FMT 26th Dec 2025: Bangladeshi workers obtain court injunction against mould manufacturer Mediceram (Ansell supplier) in Malaysia Sean Augustin The
December 26, 2025
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Malaysia
Human Rights Watch/ United Nations (UN) Nov 26th 2025: Rampant Labour Abuses Against Bangladeshi Migrant Workers in Malaysia (Alleged Criminal Syndicate Trafficking Bangladeshi Workers for Forced Labour in Malaysia/Mediceram)
November 26, 2025 1:38PM EST|Dispatches Human Rights Watch/United Nations (UN) Nov 26th 2025: Rampant Labour Abuses Against Bangladeshi Migrant Workers
November 27, 2025
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Malaysia
ABC News 23rd Nov 2025: 15 Bangladeshi migrant workers deported from Ansell-linked Malaysian glove factory Mediceram after abuse allegations (UPDATE: 48 more workers to be deported by Monday)
ABC News 23rd Nov 2025: 15 Bangladeshi Migrant workers deported from Ansell-linked Malaysian glove factory Mediceram after abuse allegations (UPDATE:
November 23, 2025
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Bangladesh
21st Nov Green Left AUS: Bangladeshi workers (alleged forced labour victims) in Ansell’s supply chain (Mediceram, Malaysia) face deportation
21st Nov Green Left AUS: Bangladeshi workers (alleged forced labour victims) in Ansell’s supply chain (Mediceram, Malaysia) face deportation November
November 21, 2025
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Bangladesh
United Nations (UN) NEWS RELEASE 21 Nov 2025 – Malaysia: UN experts sound alarm over continued systematic exploitation of Bangladeshi migrant workers in Malaysia (alleged criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi workers for forced labour in Malaysia)
United Nations (UN) NEWS RELEASE 21 Nov 2025 – Malaysia: UN experts sound alarm over continued systematic exploitation of Bangladeshi
November 21, 2025
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Malaysia
Daily Star 17th Nov 2025: Bangladeshi workers (alleged forced labour victims) file police reports against Malaysia’s Mediceram glove company (Ansell’s global supply chain)
Daily Star 17th Nov 2025: Bangladeshi workers (alleged forced labour victims) file police reports against Malaysia’s Mediceram glove company (Ansell’s
November 17, 2025
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Human Rights
Daily Star 15th Nov 2025: Bangladeshi High Commission to Mediceram – ‘Reinstate 170 workers’ in Ansell global gloves supply chain alleged forced labour case in Malaysia
Diplomacy Daily Star 15th Nov 2025: Bangladeshi High Commission to Mediceram – ‘Reinstate 170 workers’ in Ansell global gloves supply
November 15, 2025
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Bangladesh
Associated Press World News 10th Nov 2025: Bangladeshi workers protest over unpaid wages and mistreatment claims in Malaysian global supply chain factories (today’s Dhaka human chain protest summaries)
WORLD NEWS Associated Press World News 10th Nov 2025: Bangladeshi workers protest over unpaid wages and mistreatment claims in Malaysian
November 10, 2025
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Fundraise for Andy Hall to Overturn Unjust Conviction for Whistleblowing: Qatar
Why Human Rights Matter to Business?
Risky Business with Darian McBain: Asia
15th January 2024
Why Human Rights Matter to Business with Darian McBain – Interview with Andy Hall – Migrant Worker Rights Specialist
Asian business is changing. Customer demands, government regulations, stakeholder expectations, they are all evolving under the pressure of the environmental crisis. And even the most robust business models are starting to show cracks. But it’s through those cracks that opportunities arrive.
Do you know how to navigate this new normal?
Andy Hall is a human rights defender, a researcher/investigator and activist, and an independent specialist on migrant worker rights.
In this episode of Risky Business, Andy talks about how he uncovered – and helped to tackle – the problem of labour rights abuses in Malaysia’s latex glove industry.
Click HERE to listen
Andy Hall’s Twitter
Malaysia plans to adopt a new foreign worker recruitment system developed by Bestinet, founded by Aminul Islam.
The Universal Recruitment Advanced Platform enables direct hiring via a digital portal, reducing reliance on middlemen, Bloomberg reported.
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Malaysia is planning to adopt a new foreign worker recruitment system developed by the company founded by labor tycoon Aminul Islam, sources say
*UPDATED Story by Bloomberg @MelinAnders on issue of Alleged Criminal Syndicate Trafficking Bangladeshi Migrant Workers for Forced Labour in Malaysia - 16th April 2026: Malaysia Plans to Use Tycoon Amin’s New Migrant Worker System*
Original (paywall)
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Andy Hall
Andy Hall is a British human rights defender and a migrant worker specialist working in Asia, Middle East and the Gulf
HUMAN CHAIN FOR JUSTICE ![]()
Together, let’s stand for dignity, rights, and safety of our migrant workers.![]()
Thousands of Bangladeshis who returned from Malaysia have faced passport confiscation, unpaid wages, abuse, and exploitation. Now is the time to raise our voices and demand justice.![]()
📢 We are calling all affected migrant workers and their families to join the Human Chain![]()
🗓 Date: 27 April 2025 (Monday)![]()
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM![]()
📍 Venue: In front of the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, Dhaka![]()
👉 Who should join?![]()
Workers whose passports were withheld![]()
Victims of abuse, exploitation, or unpaid salaries![]()
Those who returned without justice![]()
Families of workers still in unsafe conditions![]()
Anyone who wants fair recruitment and safe migration![]()
✊ This is your chance to speak up against injustice and demand accountability.![]()
📣 We strongly urge all victims and affected workers: COME, JOIN, AND MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD.![]()
Let’s unite to ensure:![]()
✔ Fair wages![]()
✔ Safe jobs![]()
✔ Return of passports![]()
✔ Justice for every migrant worker![]()
💪 Together we stand, together we win justice!![]()
#MigrantWorkers #HumanChain #JusticeForWorkers #MWN #StopExploitation #Bangladesh
*Malaysiakini April 24th 2026: Bestinet defends migrant worker system track record, says Turap will complement it*![]()
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Bestinet Sdn Bhd has stepped forward to defend its track record, amid questions about the Foreign Worker Centralised Management System (FWCMS) that it operates and the upcoming The Universal Recruitment Advanced Platform (Turap).![]()
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It said the criticism against it by “certain public figures” is false and based on selective data that had been taken out of context.![]()
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“Their opposition is not principled governance advocacy. ![]()
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It is the defence of a financial ecosystem that has profited for decades from the exploitation of vulnerable migrant workers,” it said in the statement issued through the law firm Lui & Bhullar last night.![]()
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It warned that the company will take legal action against such claims.![]()
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Consultations, assessments, reviews![]()
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Among others, Bestinet said every government decision on FWCMS is the result of various consultations, assessments and reviews, and any allegation of irregularities undermines the integrity of Malaysia’s executive decision-making.![]()
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READ MORE: Industry players concerned, sceptical of proposal for new migrant worker system![]()
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It said the company is also contractually committed to transfer full ownership of FWCMS to the government upon completion of the contract.![]()
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As for Turap, Bestinet said it is meant to complement existing systems by tackling potential exploitation during village-level migrant worker recruitment in source countries.![]()
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It is not intended to replace the existing systems like FWCMS, the Malaysian Immigration Integrated Management System (MyIMMs), or the National Integrated Immigration System (NIISe), it said.![]()
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Statement in full![]()
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The statement from Bestinet is reproduced in full below:![]()
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From systemic abuse to full transparency: ![]()
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Bestinet defends FWCMS against misleading narratives![]()
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A government-approved, UN-recognised platform that transformed Malaysia’s foreign worker management ecosystem - and why those disrupted by that transformation are now fighting back.![]()
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We act for Bestinet Sdn Bhd. ![]()
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We write pursuant to our client’s instructions to clarify the factual position and place on record the following:![]()
As the architects, investors, engineers and operators of one of the world’s most advanced foreign worker management infrastructures, Bestinet stands firmly behind its system and the facts that underpin it.![]()
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The reality before FWCMS![]()
Before FWCMS, Malaysia’s foreign worker management ecosystem was manual, fragmented and vulnerable to abuse - with no digital records, no audit trail and no accountability. Ministries operated in silos with no integration.![]()
Employers queued as early as 3am at government counters, creating repeated opportunities for illicit and unrecorded payments.![]()
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In the vast majority of cases, medical reports and insurance documents were falsified. In many cases, workers sent impostors to medical screenings. Quota applications were manually manipulated through collusion between employers, brokers and intermediaries - generating artificial demand to extract money from vulnerable workers who often arrived in debt bondage. Derived from industry assessments and historical observations, the financial leakages ran into the billions of ringgit.![]()
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How Bestinet transformed the ecosystem - at its own initiative and investment![]()
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Bestinet - founded in 2008, building on proposals dating to 2001 - undertook a privately funded national initiative to build a world-class digital solution at zero cost to the government or taxpayer.![]()
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FWCMS is a 15-module cross-border governance platform, the first of its kind globally, integrating 15 labour-sending countries, 232+ accredited medical centres and every relevant Malaysian government agency into one unified digital ecosystem.![]()
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The system was developed following more than 500 formal engagements with Malaysian Government agencies, recommended by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Special Branch, Malaysia, and designed in accordance with the principles and policies of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).![]()
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It received formal government approval through the SST in 2018 and concession agreement in 2024 following a comprehensive inter-ministerial evaluation including review by Ukas.![]()
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Assertions that the fee structure represents an increase are factually incorrect in fact after a negotiation with the Ukas the revised fee absorbed the previous separate services like PLKS, ISC and medical screening - overall representing a significant reduction.![]()
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Also to be noted that Bestinet provided its services without any fee collections from 2012 to 2018.![]()
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Turap - the next frontier in worker protection![]()
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Village-level recruitment in source countries remains ungoverned. To Bestinet’s knowledge, no government or employer body anywhere in the world today possesses effective mechanisms to oversee, verify or govern this layer - where the most acute exploitation of migrant workers occurs.![]()
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Turap - the Universal Recruitment Advanced Platform - is the first platform of its kind in the world, developed drawing on nearly 40 years of cumulative industry experience. It is designed to complement - not replace - FWCMS, MyIMMS, NIISe and all other government systems, operating at a distinct upstream layer to eliminate recruitment exploitation at its source.![]()
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The government’s decisions: Due process and institutional integrity![]()
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Every government decision on FWCMS - from the 2012 POC, through mandatory adoption in 2015, to the 2024 formal contract - resulted from rigorous, multi-layered institutional processes including inter-ministerial consultations, security assessments, international advisory input and over a decade of evidence-based performance review.![]()
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Any characterisation of these decisions as irregular, improper or influenced by extraneous factors undermines the institutional integrity of Malaysia’s executive decision-making. Bestinet has contractually committed to transfer full ownership of FWCMS to the government upon contract completion.![]()
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Who is behind the negative narratives - and why![]()
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The current criticism does not reflect good-faith policy discourse. FWCMS eliminated billions in annual leakage previously flowing through informal intermediaries. Turap threatens to eliminate what remains of that network.![]()
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Certain public figures have used these national infrastructure systems as instruments of political positioning - making false allegations based on selective and decontextualised data. Their opposition is not principled governance advocacy. It is the defence of a financial ecosystem that has profited for decades from the exploitation of vulnerable migrant workers. Bestinet will take all necessary legal action against false, misleading or defamatory statements.![]()
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Global recognition![]()
FWCMS, among other local and international awards, was awarded the United Nations World Summit Award (WSA) in 2017 in Vienna, Austria - competing against entries from over 180 countries - widely regarded as the world’s most prestigious recognition for digital innovation aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. ![]()
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More than a decade after implementation, no comparable system exists anywhere in the world.![]()
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Conclusion: We built it. We stand behind it. Malaysia needs it![]()
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Bestinet has invested more than two decades and substantial private capital - without government funding - in transforming Malaysia’s foreign worker management ecosystem. The facts are clear. The evidence is irrefutable. The global recognition is documented. Bestinet will not be deterred by parties whose interests depend on a return to fraud, trafficking and exploitation.![]()
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m.malaysiakini.com/news/773489![]()
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*For full background to this story and related issues see blog post at andyjhall.org/2026/01/23/23rd-jan-2026-bloomberg-world-exclusive-on-alleged-criminal-syndicate-tr...![]()
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*UPDATED Stories by Bloomberg/Edge/Malasiaki on issue of Alleged Criminal Syndicate Trafficking Bangladeshi (and other nationality) Migrant Workers for Forced Labour in Malaysia: Malaysia says it’s studying new migrant worker hiring system*![]()
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Malaysiakini April 24th 2026: Bestinet defends migrant worker system track record, says Turap will complement it (m.malaysiakini.com/news/773489)![]()
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Edge 23rd Apr 2026: Newly proposed foreign worker system to complement existing systems, not replace them — Bestinet (theedgemalaysia.com/node/801091)![]()
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Edge 23rd April 2026: Steven Sim, former HR minister, stays silent as tensions flare over foreign worker system (theedgemalaysia.com/node/800998)![]()
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Edge 23rd Apr 2026: Bestinet’s Aminul Islam issues letter of demand to Rafizi on foreign worker recruitment issue (theedgemalaysia.com/node/801007)![]()
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Bloomberg: Malaysia says it’s studying new migrant worker hiring system (www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysia-says-its-studying-new-migrant-worker-hiring-system)![]()
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*UPDATED Story by Bloomberg on issue of Alleged Criminal Syndicate Trafficking Bangladeshi (and other nationality) Migrant Workers for Forced Labour in Malaysia*![]()
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*16th April 2026: Malaysia Plans to Use Tycoon Amin’s New Migrant Worker System*![]()
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Original version available behind paywall at www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-04-16/malaysia-plans-to-use-new-migrant-worker-system-turap-...![]()
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Edge summary version online at www.theedgesingapore.com/amp/news/malaysia/malaysia-mulls-adopting-bestinets-new-migrant-worker-s...)![]()
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Bangladeshi recruitment agencies protest syndicate monopolising labour to M'sia m.malaysiakini.com/news/771319![]()
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For full background to this story and related issues see blog post at andyjhall.org/2026/01/23/23rd-jan-2026-bloomberg-world-exclusive-on-alleged-criminal-syndicate-tr...![]()
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Malaysiakini April 24th 2026: Bestinet defends migrant worker system track record, says Turap will complement it (m.malaysiakini.com/news/773489)
Bestinet defends migrant worker system track record, says Turap will complement it
m.malaysiakini.com
Company says criticism by 'certain public figures' is false, based on selective data.
Bloomberg: Malaysia says it’s studying new migrant worker hiring system![]()
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www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysia-says-its-studying-new-migrant-worker-hiring-system![]()
The Ministry of Human Resources said such an approach would enable direct recruitment of workers and the recruitment costs would be borne entirely by employers.![]()
The Ministry of Human Resources said such an approach would enable direct recruitment of workers and the recruitment costs would be borne entirely by employers.![]()
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PHOTO: AFP![]()
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KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia is exploring the need to develop a new digital platform to improve hiring of foreign workers, according to its Ministry of Human Resources.![]()
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Such an approach would enable direct recruitment of workers, with recruitment costs borne entirely by employers, the ministry said in a statement on April 21.![]()
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Reports that a decision has been made are untrue and don’t reflect the government’s position, it said.![]()
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“All the proposals are still in the evaluation stage and have not been decided and no commitments, appointments or agreements have been made with any parties to date,” the ministry said, without specifying which proposals it was considering.![]()
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Bloomberg News reported last week, citing six people familiar with the matter, that Malaysia is planning to adopt a new foreign worker system developed by Bestinet Sdn Bhd, the company founded by tycoon Aminul Islam. ![]()
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Called The Universal Recruitment Advanced Platform, or TURAP, it will have a digital portal where employers can sign up and find employees, the people said. ![]()
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In response to the Bloomberg report, Human Resources Minister Ramanan Ramakrishnan told local newspaper the New Straits Times that the matter is still in discussion and that he saw no issue with adopting a new system developed by Bestinet.![]()
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Lui & Bhullar, a law firm representing Datuk Seri Aminul, said that he declined to comment.![]()
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On April 20, former economy minister Rafizi Ramli and eight other lawmakers said in a statement that Malaysia didn’t need a new recruitment system, and that any project related to national security shouldn’t be done in a public-private partnership.![]()
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Mr Charles Santiago, a former Member of Parliament, last week called on the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate the procurement process for the new system.![]()
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Bestinet’s Chief Executive Officer Ismail Mohd Noor declined to comment.![]()
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Bloomberg News published an investigation in January into endemic corruption in Malaysia’s recruitment of migrant workers from Bangladesh. ![]()
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The article mentioned the roles played in the recruitment process by Mr Aminul, who’s also known as Amin, and Bestinet. ![]()
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Mr Amirul has denied that he’s contributed to migrant workers being charged high recruitment fees and said he has devoted his life to helping them. BLOOMBERG
Malaysia says it’s studying new migrant worker hiring system
www.straitstimes.com
Such an approach would enable direct recruitment of workers, with recruitment costs borne entirely by employers. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.
মালয়েশিয়া থেকে নির্যাতিত হয়ে দেশে ফিরে আসা সকল প্রবাসী ভাইদের প্রতি আহ্বান।![]()
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আসুন আগামী সোমবার, একসাথে দাঁড়াই আমাদের সাথে ঘটে যাওয়া অন্যায়ের বিরুদ্ধে।![]()
আপনার কণ্ঠস্বরই হতে পারে ন্যায়ের প্রথম ধাপ।![]()
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মালয়েশিয়া হাইকমিশনের কর্মকর্তাদের অবহেলা ও উদাসীনতার কারণে আপনার সাথে ঘটে যাওয়া বাস্তব অভিজ্ঞতা তুলে ধরুন। নীরব থাকবেন না আপনার কথা বলুন, সত্য প্রকাশ করুন।![]()
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নতুন সরকারের কাছে আমাদের ন্যায্য দাবি তুলে ধরতে এই সমাবেশে আপনার উপস্থিতি অত্যন্ত গুরুত্বপূর্ণ।![]()
আপনার অধিকার, আপনার ভবিষ্যৎ আপনার হাতেই।![]()
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✊ আসুন, অন্যায়ের বিরুদ্ধে এক হই।![]()
✊ প্রবাসীর মর্যাদা রক্ষায় একসাথে লড়ি।