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
Bangladesh High Commission in Malaysia writes to Mediceram
DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENT
Sourced from https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/diplomacy/news/reinstate-170-workers-4035261
Sat Nov 15, 2025
Bangladesh High Commission in Malaysia has formally written to Mediceram, requesting the company to reinstate more than 170 migrants dismissed on October 31 and to thoroughly review the workers’ allegations.
The high commission made the statement on its Facebook page yesterday, two days after Ansell Limited — the Australia-based buying company — announced it had suspended its relationship with Mediceram, a small Malaysian supplier of ceramic formers.
Mediceram terminated 177 Bangladeshi workers on October 31 after they protested the non-renewal of work visas for more than 90 migrants.
In early November, Malaysian authorities deported 16 of the workers after Mediceram allegedly forced them to the airport.
Upon returning home, the workers formed human chains in Dhaka and Cumilla and submitted a letter to Expatriates’ Welfare Adviser Prof Asif Nazrul, seeking justice over the forced deportation.
Each migrant had spent between Tk 450,000 and Tk 600,000 to migrate to Malaysia. Many received irregular and low wages, and several had their work permits left unrenewed.
The high commission said it contacted the company’s chairman and the workers after receiving the termination notices, offering cooperation to resolve the issue peacefully. It held several rounds of discussions with both sides.
Following the restructuring of the company’s management, several positive measures improved working conditions, but some disputes remained.
In response to the High Commission’s request, Mediceram has expressed willingness to resolve the issue quickly and agreed to reinstate the striking workers immediately, subject to their return to work and clearance from Malaysian immigration.
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14th Nov 2025 Bangaldeshi High Commission KL Statement on Mediceram: Bangladeshi workers protest with Malaysian Mediceram company
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Green Left 15th Nov 2025: Complaint lodged against Ansell’s treatment of foreign workers
November 15, 2025, Issue 1443, News
Many Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia face discrimination, including those working for Ansell subsidiaries.
Read full story at: https://www.greenleft.org.au/2025/1443/news/complaint-lodged-against-ansells-treatment-foreign-workers
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Firing 177 Bangladeshis
Daily Star 14th Nov 2025: Ansell cuts ties with Malaysian Mediceram firm
DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENT
Fri Nov 14, 2025
Photo: Collected
Australian buying company, Ansell Limited, has suspended its relationship with Malaysian company Mediceram, which has recently terminated 177 Bangladeshi workers and deported some of them under coercion, said Ansell in a statement on its website on November 12.
Mediceram, supplier of ceramic formers, on October 31, terminated the workers for staging protests against non-renewal of about 90 migrants.
These workers had migrated to Malaysia in 2023 but got irregular or no pay, while their work permits were not renewed on time.
In last August, Mediceram entered into a remediation agreement with its workers following concerns raised by its customers including Ansell.
Ansell said progress has been made in implementing this agreement, with more than $1 million in recruitment fees reimbursed to current workers ahead of originally agreed timelines, supported by favourable trading terms provided by Ansell.
“Ansell was therefore surprised to be informed on October 31 that Mediceram had terminated 177 foreign workers on the grounds of their refusal to work,” it said.
“In the absence of any willingness by Mediceram to reconsider, Ansell informed Mediceram on November 4, 2025 that Ansell is suspending its supplier relationship with the company.”
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Richmond, VIC – 12 November 2025 – Ansell Limited (ASX: ANN) a global leader in protection solutions, announced it has suspended its relationship with Mediceram, a small Malaysian supplier of ceramic formers. The suspension stems from concerns about deteriorating relations between Mediceram and its foreign workers, following repeated strike actions over issues including the renewal of work visas, which remain pending with the relevant Malaysian immigration and labour authorities.
As advised in a statement last August, Mediceram entered into a remediation agreement with its workers following concerns raised by its customers including Ansell.
Progress has been made in implementing this agreement, with more than USD 1 million in recruitment fees reimbursed to current workers ahead of originally agreed timelines, supported by favourable trading terms provided by Ansell.
Ansell was therefore surprised to be informed on 31 October that Mediceram had terminated 177 foreign workers on the grounds of their refusal to work. We promptly expressed our clear view to Mediceram that this was not an appropriate course of action in these circumstances. In the absence of any willingness by Mediceram to reconsider, Ansell informed Mediceram on 4 November 2025 that Ansell is suspending its supplier relationship with the company.
Ansell will continue to engage with Mediceram on the conditions necessary for Ansell to consider reinstating the supplier relationship. These include Mediceram completing all outstanding matters in the remediation program swiftly and structurally and demonstrating a sustained commitment to safeguarding worker welfare, and ensuring all workers, particularly those terminated and awaiting repatriation, have sufficient financial support to cover living costs.
We recognise that this situation has raised concerns, and we are aware of conflicting statements regarding representation of workers’ interests that may be influencing the dialogue between Mediceram workers and management. Ansell will not engage in speculation or commentary on matters beyond our direct involvement. Our priority remains supporting constructive conversations, ensuring fair treatment, and working toward a positive resolution of outstanding issues.
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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)
BY JULHAS ALAM
November 10, 2025
DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — About 100 Bangladeshi workers who were employed by Malaysian companies rallied Monday to demand unpaid wages, fair compensation and an end to alleged abuse by Malaysian employers.
The Migrant Welfare Network, a Bangladeshi migrant group based in Malaysia and Bangladesh, organized the protest at the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment in Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka.
The Associated Press could not immediately reach the companies for comment.
The demonstrators said the event was organized to protest what they say is widespread mistreatment of migrant workers in Malaysia, one of Southeast Asia’s richest nations. They demanded unpaid wage support and compensation for 431 Bangladeshi workers they said were exploited by two Malaysian companies, Mediceram and Kawaguchi Manufacturing.
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The exploitation of migrant workers: Mediceram and Kawaguchi – a case of insufficient enforcement?
By K. Veeriah
“About 100 Bangladesh workers who were employed by Malaysian companies rallied Monday to demand unpaid wages, for fair compensation and an end to alleged abuse by Malaysian employers” — Associated Press World News, Nov 10, 2025
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See also Daily Star 11th Nov 2025: Deported workers call for justice
PRESS RELEASE MWN EN 10th NovDownload
Press Release MWN (Bangladeshi version) 10th NovDownload
Many factories in Malaysia and other Southeast Asia countries rely on migrant workers, often from Bangladesh, Myanmar and Nepal, to fill labor-intensive jobs in manufacturing, plantations or construction. Local workers usually avoid such jobs because of their poor conditions and low wages.
The Migrant Welfare Network urged Bangladeshi and Malaysian authorities and international buyers to take immediate action to ensure workers receive wages already owed, fair compensation and “justice for systemic abuses.”
The group said in statement Monday that a complaint claiming forced labor and neglect has been filed with the Malaysian government against Australian company Ansell, a major customer of Mediceram, which manufactures gloves for medical, industrial and domestic use.
A separate complaint was filed against Kawaguchi, which supplied plastic components to large Japanese companies, including Sony Group.
In May, around 280 Bangladeshi migrant workers for Kawaguchi demanded hundreds of thousands of dollars in back wages and other money owed to them after the company closed five months earlier.
Workers at Kawaguchi’s factory in Port Klang filed complaints in Malaysia and Bangladesh claiming the company withheld their wages for up to eight months before closing after Sony and Panasonic Holdings Corp., two of Kawaguchi’s main customers, halted orders in response to allegations the workers were mistreated.
“In the beginning, they used to pay the salary in parts, meaning they would give 500–1000 ringgit (about $120-$240) per month as food expenses,” said former Kawaguchi employee Omar Faruk, who began working for the manufacturer in 2022. “After withholding the salary, the company started considering shutting down. Later, we filed a complaint at the Bangladesh High Commission in Malaysia.”
Harun Or Rasid Liton, who worked at Mediceram, accused the company of not paying despite an order by the Malaysian Labor Court.
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Photos and videos from 10th Nov innovative and impressive human chain event in Dhaka – youth power against injustice, corruption and exploitation https://www.facebook.com/share/v/16k3YYDWaz/?mibextid=wwXIfr
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“The court ruled that the company would pay us 1,000 ringgit per month, but the company paid only the first installment and then stopped paying,” he said. “Later, we had no choice but to return to Bangladesh. Now we are facing severe hardship in maintaining our families.”
There have been widespread reports of abuse of Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia and disputes between employees and companies have become a diplomatic sore point between Bangladesh and Malaysia. Workers’ rights groups have demanded stringent scrutiny on the powerful group of recruitment agencies and middlemen who monopolize such jobs.
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💔 Expatriates have not stopped crying today 💔
A heartbreaking scene was seen in front of the Ministry of Expatriate Welfare
Tears in the eyes, tears in the voice, and heart full of pain for the immigrant workers victims of injustice.
Many couldn’t hold tears during human chain…
These tears of them are the symbol of demanding justice,
May this cry of theirs reach the hearts of the concerned authorities.
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Cr4WoAs1P/?mibextid=wwXIfr
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Today, the Migrant Welfare Network (MWN)—a Bangladeshi migrant network based in Malaysia and Bangladesh— organised a human chain and press conference in front of the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment.
The event aimed to demand urgent support for 431 Bangladeshi workers exploited by two Malaysian companies, Mediceram Sdn. Bhd. and Kawaguchi Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd., and to draw attention to the widespread mistreatment of migrant workers in Malaysia.
MWN calls on Bangladeshi and Malaysian authorities, as well as international buyers, to take immediate action to ensure workers receive all owed wages, fair compensation, and justice for systemic abuses. We also urge the media, activists, rights community, and other relevant stakeholders to give this matter immediate attention. The Bangladeshi High Commission in Malaysia and the Expatriates Ministry in Dhaka have failed to protect victims of modern slavery, instead creating an environment of retaliation following their involvement.
Brief overview of the cases:
- Mediceram Sdn. Bhd.: Workers suffered for years from late wages, threats, bullying, and poor living conditions. When their passports were taken, they became isolated. Without work permit renewals, many have become illegal. This is forced labour and modern slavery. The company did refund recruitment fees after several strikes and external pressures, but in 1st week of November 2025, 15 workers were forced to return home because they demanded permit renewals and repayment for former workers. Worker leaders elected by workers were deported in clear retaliation, with one escaping by fleeing. An OECD complaint has been filed against the Australian company Ansell, a major buyer from Mediceram, about forced labour and neglect. Conditions of the Bangladeshi workers at Mediceram are getting worse.
- Kawaguchi Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd.: This company was a major supplier for global brands such as Sony, Panasonic, and Daikin. Workers paid high recruitment fees and experienced wage payment irregularities starting in 2022, with their salaries going entirely unpaid for seven months as of September 2024. After facing months of hardship and strikes, 308 Bangladeshi workers were reimbursed by the above-mentioned buyers for recruitment fees and compensation for their hardship. However, their unpaid wages remained outstanding even after the Malaysian authority (JTK) issued a consent order following a settlement meeting between the workers, JTK, and Kawaguchi management on 24th December 2024. The Taiwanese owner of Kawaguchi still owes 3 million RM to 251 migrant workers, yet the company was officially closed without settling this debt, highlighting a significant failure of the Malaysian system.
Demands: 1. Immediate compensation for Mediceram workers who were forcibly deported for demanding work permit renewal and recruitment fee reimbursement for their colleagues. 2. Stop forced deportations immediately and assist with transferring from Mediceram to a responsible employer through the legal process. 2 3. Immediate ban on Mediceram and its owner, Mr Arumugam Suppiah Datu and his companies from hiring any more Bangladeshi workers in future. 4. Ensure that all former Kawaguchi workers receive their pending wages in accordance with the JTK consent order, and that former Mediceram workers are reimbursed for their recruitment fees. 5. We call for a reformation of the performance of the Bangladeshi High Commission, KL, in line with the genuine needs of Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia, who are suffering in large numbers. 6. We call for comprehensive reform of Bangladesh’s recruitment and migration system so that safeguarding migrant workers’ rights becomes the central focus, rather than prioritising remittance generation. 7. We call for complete transparency and systemic support from international buyers to ensure the protection of migrant workers’ rights.
The Migrant Welfare Network (MWN) highlights and emphasises that “these workers have built Malaysia’s industries and supported Bangladesh’s economy through their remittances. They deserve justice—not deportation, debt, or threat.”
Nironjan, a Mediceram Workers Committee member recently deported, said: “We requested our rights as humans but were treated as second-class humans, even as animals. Our demands for salaries and recruitment fee refunds led to harassment. When we asked for legal status and reimbursement for friends, we were threatened and forced onto flights. Speaking up results in deportation, and after mass dismissals, we’re barred from seeking new employment. We have decided to keep appealing to authorities, media, activists and the public for justice.”
Omar Faruq, a former Kawaguchi worker forced to leave Malaysia due to the uncertain RTK system, said: “We suffered passport confiscation and unpaid salaries for over seven months, leaving us hungry and desperate. Our appeals to authorities brought no help. Our wages still remain unpaid as the company closed without settlement. Thousands of migrant workers face similar hardship in Malaysia. Complete reform is needed.”
Media References: ABC News (Australia): “Australian glove-maker Ansell accused of exploiting workers” (Sept 2025). Click for news link The Daily Star (Bangladesh): “Dream turns into despair for deported Mediceram workers” (6 Nov 2025). Click for news link AP News: “Migrant workers from Kawaguchi seek unpaid wages, partial repayments arranged” (May 2025). Click for news link
Contact: Migrant Welfare Network (MWN): mw.org2025@gmail.comor +8801622125270 Nironjan, Mediceram Workers Representative: +880 1938962947Omar Faruq, Kawaguchi Workers Representative: +880 1620785039 Thank you for your attention and participation!
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CwJHdN6k8/?mibextid=wwXIfr
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Daily Star 8th Nov 2025:152 Bangladeshi workers at Mediceram in Malaysia (Ansell gloves global supply chain) protest forced repatriation, appoint legal counsel
Migrants appoint legal counsel, refuse to return to work under same management
Star Online Report
Sat Nov 8, 2025 10:14 PM
Sourced from: https://www.thedailystar.net/nrb/migration/news/152-bangladeshi-workers-malaysia-protest-forced-repatriation-4030126
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
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Daily Star 6th Nov 2025: Dream turns into despair for 10 deported Bangladeshi migrants from Mediceram in Malaysia (Ansell/YTY gloves supply chain factory)
Mediceram in Malaysia
Thu Nov 6, 2025
Sourced from: https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/dream-turns-despair-10-deported-migrants-4028131
Like many others, Sufian Khan borrowed a large sum of money, hoping to go to Malaysia to change his fortune.
He spent over Tk 4.5 lakh to make the arrangements, dreaming of a better life for his family.
But his dream soon turned into despair when he, along with nine others, was deported by Malaysian authorities early yesterday.
“I still have a loan of over Tk 1 lakh,” he told The Daily Star from Barishal.
Sufian said they were forcibly taken to Kuala Lumpur International Airport by executives of Malaysian glove manufacturing company Mediceram, based in Selangor.
The company terminated all 180 Bangladeshi workers on October 31 after they protested the non-renewal of visas for more than 90 of them.
The company terminated all 180 Bangladeshi workers on October 31 after they protested the non-renewal of visas for more than 90 of them.
Following their termination, some of the workers went to the Bangladesh High Commission seeking help, but received none.
A Mediceram executive was present at the high commission and held a meeting for about two and a half hours, while the workers were kept waiting outside, said another deportee, Nironjan. “When we finally got to speak, the high commission officials told us they could do nothing about it,” he said.
The migrants also turned to the immigration and labour departments in Kuala Lumpur, but no one accepted their complaints, said Nironjan.
“On November 4, Mediceram executives dragged us onto a bus to the airport. We were literally crying,” said Sufian.
He said Mediceram had been irregular in paying wages since they joined in April 2023 through the recruiting agency Greenland Overseas.
“We were paid as little as 200 Malaysian ringgit a month,” he said, adding that the company also failed to renew their work visas on time.
After repeated demonstrations and complaints, Mediceram eventually paid the recruitment fees, but most of the migrants were left in uncertainty and faced the threat of police detention due to expired visas.
As a result, they went on a work abstention on October 27 but were soon terminated.
Another migrant, who is still staying at Mediceram’s hostel, told this correspondent that the remaining 170 Bangladeshi workers are living in fear, as company executives have also threatened them with deportation.
Back home, the deportees say they feel abused, defrauded, and deprived of justice and have no idea what to do next.
“I have my parents and wife at home. I still owe one lakh taka. I am totally undone,” said Sufian.
Contacted, Bangladesh’s Deputy High Commissioner in Malaysia, Shahanara Monica, said the mission has sent a report to Dhaka regarding the incident.
“Until we hear back from them, we cannot make any comment,” she said yesterday evening.
There are around 800,000 Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia, including 450,000 who migrated between 2022 and 2024 through a syndicate of 101 recruiting agencies.
Recruitment has remained suspended since May last year
Daily Star 5th Nov 2025: Malaysia’s Mediceram, in Ansell’s global gloves supply chain, forcibly and involuntarily sends back 10 Bangladeshis
Glove manufacturer earlier terminated 190 Bangladeshis for protesting exploitative practices
Sourced from: https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/malaysias-mediceram-sends-back-10-bangladeshis-4027116
Star Online Report
Wed Nov 5th 2025
Photo: Collected
The Malaysian glove company Mediceram, which terminated about 190 Bangladeshi workers on October 31, sent back at least 10 of them last night and is preparing to send more to Dhaka.
One of the deported workers, Nironjon, told The Daily Star from Kuala Lumpur International Airport that he was forced onto a flight by Mediceram executives at 11:00pm last night after he went to file a case against the cancellation of their visas and deportation.
“They said if we don’t take the flight, immigration will arrest and detain us as illegal aliens,” he said.
Recruited in 2023, the workers faced non-payment, irregular wages, and non-renewal of visas. They organised eight to nine protests over the years, but each time the company’s promises to settle debts and meet demands were broken.
The situation escalated on September 30, when immigration officers raided the factory and detained about 90 workers for allegedly lacking valid visas. Although recruitment fees were reimbursed on October 27, the company has yet to return the workers’ passports or renew their visas.
Andy Hall, a migrant rights activist, said the workers had refused to leave voluntarily but were forced onto buses to the airport under extreme pressure and threats. He added that Mediceram could deport 24 more workers on November 5.
“Even the involvement of government agencies has failed to bring meaningful pressure or decisive action to resolve the workers’ claims,” he noted.
In a statement, the Migrant Workers’ Network condemned the deportations, saying, “The deportation of the migrants suggests that demanding rights has become a crime. We strongly condemn the repressive treatment by Mediceram and demand immediate reinstatement and security of the workers.”
Daily Star 4th Nov 2025: MEDICERAM IN MALAYSIA – 190 Bangladeshis in Ansell global gloves supply chain fired for protesting exploitation
Sourced from: https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/190-bangladeshis-fired-protesting-exploitation-4026331
MEDICERAM IN MALAYSIA
190 Bangladeshis fired for protesting exploitation
Mediceram workers yesterday in Negeri Sembilan at government offices, all of which alleged rejected their complaints
DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENT
Tue Nov 4, 2025 12:00 AM Last update on: Tue Nov 4, 2025 08:15 AM
A Malaysian gloves manufacturer has terminated 190 Bangladeshi workers for protesting against exploitative practices, including the non-renewal of their visas.
The migrant workers at the Kuala Lumpur-based company Mediceram told The Daily Star yesterday that the management handed termination letters to all Bangladeshi employees on October 31 and has begun cancelling their visas to deport them.Mediceram workers protesting at Negeri Sembilan government officials yesterday, with PSM team
“I heard visas of six Bangladeshis have already been cancelled and the company will do the same for others,” said one worker.
“We also went to the Malaysian labour court and immigration department with a legal counsellor, but we were told that we cannot file any complaint,” the worker said.
Summary of Complaints Filed by 18 Workers to Government Departments on 3rd Nov 2025.pdfDownload
Over the past two years, since 2023, Mediceram workers have gone on strike multiple times, demanding payment of unpaid wages and recruitment fees.
Even Expatriates’ Welfare Adviser Asif Nazrul had visited the workers in May and assured them their problems would be resolved.
We also went to the Malaysian labour court and immigration department with a legal counsellor, but we were told that we cannot file any complaint.
— A sacked worker
“We had unpaid salary and visa renewal issues for many months. Eventually, the company renewed visas for nearly 90 workers but not for the rest,” said another worker.
Around 90 others continued facing problems as their visas were not renewed despite the company’s promise. “So, we went on strike from October 23,” he added.
Malaysia-based migrant rights groups — Workers’ Solidarity Network, Socialis Alternative and Angkatan Kesatuan Siswa Sosialis — issued a joint statement condemning the company’s actions and demanding an end to the unlawful forced deportation.
They said the migrant workers were subjected to “slave-like conditions”, with confiscated passports, delayed salaries, unrenewed visas and frequent threats from employers.
The statement said Mediceram has faced similar allegations since 2017.
Between 2022 and 2024, around 4.5 lakh Bangladeshis were recruited in Malaysia but were charged Tk 4.5 lakh to Tk 6 lakh, leaving many in debt and unemployed.
The statement said Mediceram workers had organised eight or nine protests over the years, and each time the employer made promises to settle outstanding debts and meet the workers’ demands — promises that were repeatedly broken.
“Even the involvement of government agencies has failed to bring meaningful pressure or decisive action to resolve the workers’ claims,” it said.
The situation worsened on September 30 when immigration officers raided the factory and detained about 90 workers for allegedly not having valid visas.
“In reality, all of them were legal employees, but the company failed to renew their visas,” the statement added.
Although recruitment fees were reimbursed on October 27, the company has yet to return the workers’ passports or renew their visas.
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Public Statement by the Workers’ Solidarity Network, Sosialis Alternatif and AKSI (Angkatan Kesatuan Siswa Sosialis)
03/11/2025
Mediceram workers have gone on strike several times to demand payment of recruitment fees and unpaid wages. They work in slave-like conditions — passports confiscated, salaries delayed, visas not renewed, and frequent threats from their employers. Despite repeated protests, the employers have not kept their promises and the authorities have failed to take firm action.
Also available at https://www.instagram.com/p/DQlcmBEDyQx/?igsh=MWVncnBsbW9qcHZuZg== and https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1PJPKFTmmB/
PSM statement 3rd Nov 2025: 180 Migrant Workers laid off simply for demanding fair employment rights and safe environment (original Malay language180 Pekerja Migrin dipecat hanya kerana menuntut hak pekerjaan yang adil serta persekitaran yang selamat.)
Breaking News 31st Oct: Malaysia’s Mediceram, Supplier to Global Gloves Industry including Ansell, YTY and Top Glove, Allegedly Terminates All 180 Bangladeshi Foreign Workers, Alleged Victims of Forced Labour, and Moves to Force Repatriation to Bangladesh – 31 October 2025 | Selangor, Malaysia
On October 31, all were terminated and told to prepare for deportation, accused of being absent without reason.
“This is a blatant distortion of the truth,” the statement said, calling for immediate reinstatement of the workers, return of their passports and renewal of their visas.
“Mediceram must take full legal responsibility for its obligations,” it added.
Workers complaint to management Mediceram Oct25Download
Mediceram unfair dismissal workers statement 3rd Nov 2025Download
ABC News: 11th Sept 2025: Australian glove-maker Ansell accused of exploiting workers at Malaysian factory of supplier, MediCeram
Original Source: ABC News by Ben Butler– 11th September 202
In short:
A complaint lodged at the federal Treasury claims 220 Bangladeshi workers at a Malaysian factory where moulds for Ansell gloves are made have suffered serious human rights abuses.
Ansell, headquartered in Melbourne, says it has looked into the allegations and identified breaches of international labour standards.
However, the Malaysian company’s chairman denies the allegations.
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Australian glove-maker Ansell is being accused of using an overseas supplier that has allegedly exploited more than 200 factory workers — including through forced labour — in a complaint lodged with the federal government.
The Melbourne-based company confirmed to the ABC that it has investigated allegations involving workers at the Malaysian factory, among others, and “identified a number of issues that did not meet international labour standards”.
It is now the subject of a complaint lodged with the federal Treasury — where disputes over minimum labour standards at multinational companies are filed — by international labour activist Andy Hall.Original worker demandsOriginal worker demands
According to the complaint, more than 220 Bangladeshi workers at MediCeram, which makes moulds for Ansell’s gloves, “have suffered serious abuses of fundamental worker and human rights”.Ansell is a Melbourne-based company that makes gloves as well as other personal protection equipment for the healthcare industry. (ABC News: John Gunn)Workers OECD complaint against Ansell in Australia
The alleged abuses include wage theft, forced labour and debt bondage, as well as the deportation of workers who complained about their treatment.
MediCeram vehemently denies any abuse of its workers.
In his complaint, Mr Hall said the workers paid fees of about $US5,200 each to recruiters in Bangladesh, leaving them in debt bondage.
Ansell Advances Labour Rights Across Its Supply Chain Press Release August 2025.pdf (recent statement)Download
Many took industrial action in March over allegations of several months of unpaid wages and overtime, according to the complaint.
Mr Hall also alleged that some workers had been deprived of their passports for periods of time and their work visas had not been renewed.
He alleged that about 33 workers who complained to management were sacked and deported.
“Ansell’s due diligence measures failed to prevent the forced labour and retribution by termination in this instance,” Mr Hall said in the complaint.
One Bangladeshi employee, speaking anonymously to the ABC over concerns about his employment, said six workers were housed in each room at MediCeram’s accommodation.
Chairman of Malaysian company denies allegations
Workers original demands March 2025 at Mediceram
Mr Hall filed the complaint with Treasury because it runs the Australian National Contact Point for Responsible Business Conduct (AusNCP) — the designated “national contact point” for dealing with such disputes under an arrangement set up by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.
(270525) Ansell – Mediceram statement – for customers.pdfDownload
(20250624) Ansell – Mediceram Letter.pdfDownload
It is the second time labour activists have used the mechanism to allege breaches of workers’ rights at suppliers to Ansell.
In 2017, Treasury settled a dispute between the company and the union IndustriALL. In that matter, it was alleged that workers at Ansell factories in Sri Lanka and Malaysia were coerced into agreeing to unsafe working conditions and suffered significant health issues from workplace contamination. Ansell denied the allegations.Ansell has previously denied allegations of unsafe working conditions at its factories. (Facebook: Ansell)
MediCeram supplies moulds of hands that are dipped into latex or plastic to make gloves for Ansell. The Malaysian company’s chairman, Arumugam Suppiah, denied all of Mr Hall’s allegations.
“This is unfair, and intimidation by the so-called labour activist,” he told the ABC.
“Ansell is a respectable company and MediCeram has complied with all local rules.
“All the allegations can be refuted with supporting documents.”
He said Ansell continued to support MediCeram, but had not bought anything from the company for three months.On their corporate Facebook page, Ansell advertises the size of their glove business. (Facebook: Ansell)
An Ansell spokesperson said the company “pre-ordered, expedited payment for and took advance delivery of over one year’s worth of ceramic formers to support the supplier’s cash flow” so that MediCeram could fund repayments to workers and a remediation package.
The spokesperson confirmed Ansell investigated MediCeram and other ceramic-former suppliers earlier this year and “identified a number of issues that did not meet international labour standards or comply with our supplier code of conduct”.
“Ansell has deliberately chosen not to walk away from the suppliers, including the supplier that is the subject of the AusNCP complaint,” the spokesperson said.
“We continue to engage with them closely to encourage their mitigation and remediation of the issues identified.”
The spokesperson said they would deal with the complaints process “in good faith”.
Mr Hall said that while MediCeram had agreed to repay the recruitment fees in instalments, the eight months it had to pay was “too lengthy”.
“Many workers have been excluded from the remediation package unfairly and irrationally by MediCeram, including repatriated and departed workers,” he said in the complaint.
He also accused Ansell of irresponsibly disengaging from MediCeram, contrary to OECD guidelines that state multinationals should work to fix problems at their suppliers rather than walking away.
Firm’s duty to prevent modern slavery, legal expert says
Ansell Mediceram workers’ August 2025 complaint letter to RBA’s Responsible Glove Alliance and remediation letter
Human Rights Law Centre associate legal director Freya Dinshaw, who sits on a board advising the government about such disputes, said the mechanism worked well when companies were willing to negotiate with complainants.
“It’s not a court, so ultimately they’re not binding, and that’s why Australia also needs to ensure that there are binding mechanisms to ensure that our companies do the right thing no matter where in the world they operate,” she said.
Ms Dinshaw said current Australian laws only require companies to report on the risks of modern slavery in their supply chain.Freya Dinshaw says Australian-based companies should be legally bound to avoid modern slavery no matter where they operate.
“Australian companies should have a duty to prevent modern slavery so that they’re legally required to investigate and address forced labour in their supply chains and face hard consequences where they don’t,” she said.
She said the importation of slave-made goods should also be banned.
The Albanese government committed to toughening Australian laws late last year but has not yet introduced legislation.Original remediation settlement
“They haven’t as yet committed to significantly strengthen the act by requiring companies to take action to address risks and as long as the act’s requirements are met by a tick box approach to addressing modern slavery, there are going to be companies that turn a blind eye to worker exploitation, even though they technically comply with the reporting requirements,” Ms Dinshaw said.
YTY/Mediceram statement 9th Sept 2025: Former Supplier Update
Tuesday, September 9, 2025
YTY is providing this update to highlight recent developments relating to earlier allegations of certain systemic forced labor conditions (the “Allegations”) in the manufacturing operations of MediCeram Sdn. Bhd. (“MediCeram,” or the “Company”), a Malaysian supplier of ceramic formers. This update builds on our prior statement on this matter dated March 28, 2025, which is around the time we were first alerted to the Allegations.
Our relationship with MediCeram has been limited, with first commercial orders in December 2024. Last year, MediCeram comprised less than 0.5% of our total supplier spend, making them a very small part of our supply chain. After being alerted to the Allegations in March 2025, YTY suspended placing additional orders until such time as we completed our internal review and investigation.
Despite the limited relationship with MediCeram in both length and scale, upon learning of the Allegations YTY immediately engaged with the Company to review and investigate the claims. In addition to working closely with MediCeram, YTY devoted significant time and effort to regularly engage with the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) and the Responsible Glove Alliance (RGA), the latter being the arm set up by RBA to focus on forced labor matters within our industry, YTY customers, and other key stakeholders to verify the Allegations and evaluate the Company’s efforts to remediate the identified areas of concern.
As part of our commitment to remain responsibly engaged with supply partners as they work through such situations, YTY continued to honor and take delivery of existing orders that had been placed prior to us becoming aware of the Allegations, even though these deliveries have remained quarantined and unutilized at our facilities until such time as we complete our internal review and investigation. YTY also accelerated payments against any pending invoices to provide cashflow relief to MediCeram in furtherance of its ongoing remediation efforts.
Based on our sustained engagement with MediCeram in the preceding period, and the monitoring of actions undertaken by them across multiple months, we believe the Company has taken serious and credible steps to remediate the identified areas of concern and that, to the best of our knowledge at the time this statement is being issued, the Allegations have been sufficiently addressed. We have come to this conclusion based on our onsite audits, extensive review of supporting documentation, and independent and unsupervised interviews with affected employees.
In certain limited instances, the timeline to remediate a specific allegation is still underway and has yet to conclude. In all such instances, the Company has made good on its commitments till date under these respective timelines, and there is therefore a well-founded expectation that it will honor the remainder of these commitments as intended until they are concluded in the near-term.
The corrective actions undertaken by MediCeram have been independently verified by RGA based on a recent third-party forced labor audit it conducted specifically in reference to the Allegations, which has been shared with us with consent. Additionally, certain customers of ours, who have also independently evaluated the measures taken by MediCeram to address the Allegations, concur with our conclusions.
Given our determination, and based on our supplier risk assessment framework, we are now able to commercially reengage with MediCeram. We therefore expect to resume placing orders shortly with MediCeram, and will seek to provide advance payment and other forms of financial assistance to reasonably support the Company from a commercial standpoint.
YTY remains actively involved in supplier evaluations and compliance assessments around forced labor matters. Our efforts center around training, risk assessments, and on-site audits to ensure those that we procure from are committed to sound employment practices and appropriate levels of employee welfare.
We will continue to hold our suppliers accountable to the elevated standards of professional conduct we expect from them, which are clearly documented and communicated. Through our ongoing actions, commitment to, and efforts with, our supply chain partners, YTY looks forward to remaining an agent of positive change for our industry in the area of forced labor.
Past Mediceram Stories
2nd July 2025 FMT: Workers at glove mould producer Mediceram back at work after successful talks
FMT 19th May 2025: Malaysia’s Mediceram Glove Factory (supplying brands and buyers like Ansell, YTY, Top Glove) threatened to deport 60 Bangladeshi migrants amid strike, says activist
Daily Star 18th May 2025 – Bangladeshi Migrant Worker at Mediceram Sdn Bhd Glove Company in Malaysia (supplying Ansell, YTY, Top Glove and other local and global gloves brands) faces deportation after speaking up on modern slavery and forced labour allegations
FMT 15th May 2025: Bangladeshi foreign workers in alleged situation of forced labour threaten to go on strike again at mould-making plant Mediceram
Daily Star 15th May 2025: Migration – ‘Contact me if you face any trouble’ – Asif Nazrul tells Mediceram migrant workers in Malaysia
FMT 28th Mar 2025: Glove maker YTY says Malaysian ceramic mould supplier Mediceram may be involved in forced labour practices
28th Mar 2025: YTY Gloves Group Statement on Mediceram (Malaysian Ceramics Glove Former Supplier) Forced Labour Allegations
Past Related Malaysian Gloves and Modern Slavery Related Stories
26th Sept 2024: Former Malaysian gloves plant workers sue Kimberly-Clark. They allege abuse at company’s supplier Brightway
20th Sep 2023: CBP modifies withhold release order against Supermax Corporation Bhd. and its subsidiaries
10th August 2022 Reuters: Ex-workers at Malaysian supplier sue Kimberly-Clark, Ansell over alleged labour abuse
10th August 2022: Ansell and Kimberly-Clark Sued in US Federal Court by Trafficking and Forced Labor Victims from Malaysian Glove Company
16th June 2022: My comment on Norway wealth fund putting Malaysia’s Supermax Corp under observation.
The Diplomat, April 4, 2022 – After Pressure, Growing Transparency in Malaysia’s Glove Industry
8th Feb 2022: Malaysia’s scandal-hit Supermax pays $6 million in compensation to migrant workers.
28th Dec 2021 Reuters: Ansell halts orders from Malaysian glove maker Brightway after US ban
The Sydney Morning Herald, December 21, 2021 – Gloves off: Ansell under fire over “modern slavery” at Malaysian supplier
20th Dec 2021 Reuters: U.S. Customs bans fifth Malaysian glove maker Brightway over alleged forced labour
14th September 2021 – The Diplomat: Debt Bondage Payouts Flow to Workers in Malaysia’s Glove Industry
Reuters, September 10, 2021 – U.S. lifts import ban on Malaysia’s Top Glove over forced labour concerns
VOA, July 7, 2021 – Forced Labor Rising in Malaysia’s Rubber Glove Factories, Study Shows
Reuters, May 29, 2021: U.S. probes two Malaysian glove makers over forced labour allegations – report Reuters
20th May 2021 Reuters Insight: ‘Slavery’ found at a Malaysian glove factory. Why didn’t the auditor see it?
The Guardian, March 30, 2021 – US bars rubber gloves from Malaysian from due to ‘evidence of forced labour’
CNN, March 30, 2021 – US will seize all Top Glove imports after finding ‘sufficient evidence’ of forced labour
Reuters, March 30, 2021 – U.S. Customs says forced labour used at Malaysia’s Top Glove, to seize gloves
28th Dec 2020 Malay Mail: Human Resources Ministry – Brightway Holdings, two subsidiaries to face 30 charges over workers accommodation
21st Dec 2020: Malaysia: Hundreds of migrant workers subject to “squalid” onsite living conditions at glove manufacturers owned by Brightway Holdings; Incl. buyer responses
VOA, November 19, 2020 – After US Sanctions, Malaysia Migrant Workers Get Millions in Restitution from Glove Makers
CNN, September 11, 2020 – The world’s top suppliers of disposable gloves are thriving because of the pandemic. Their workers aren’t
VOA, July 17, 2020 – US Bars Imports from Top Rubber Glove Maker Amid COVID Surge
Newsroom, July 28, 2020 – Are your disposable gloves made using forced labour?
Reuters, July 16, 2020 – Amid virus crisis, U.S. bars imports of Malaysia’s Top Glove over labour issues
Associated Press (AP), March 4, 2020 – Key medical glove factories cutting staff 50% amid virus
VOA, October 11, 2019 – US Ban on Malaysian Glove Maker Highlights ‘Systemic’ Labor Abuse
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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
