Japanese accountability, Malaysian impunity: the Kawaguchi saga, an Op Ed by Andy Hall covering this story.

Brands should implement worker-driven social compliance, while governments should enforce labour laws and establish mechanisms to protect migrant workers.

Original Source: FMT by Andy Hall – 24th September 2025

The darker side to global supply chains was again well illustrated recently in slavery like conditions endured by hundreds of Bangladeshi migrant workers at Kawaguchi Manufacturing Sdn Bhd, a Malaysian supplier of plastic parts for TVs and air conditioners to Sony, Panasonic and Daikin.

Substantial remedy for these workers was eventually provided by the three Japanese consumer goods giants. But state, United Nations, private sector and civil society actors were unable to effectively detect, prevent, mitigate and remediate their suffering in a timely manner.

When 250 of Kawaguchi’s former workers staged a strike in August 2024 over months of unpaid wages, a lack of state and buyer oversight of this labour intensive, export oriented workplace was evident.

The situation was emblematic of systemic forced labour affecting millions of migrants globally.

Vulnerable people from poorer countries seek a better life in Malaysia utilising precarious, unregulated migration channels — and end up in modern slavery.

Allegations in this case were similar to those raised by migrant workers across Malaysia. Long working hours, low wages, unlawful deductions, unsanitary housing, harassment, wrongful dismissal, irregular immigration status, lack of access to healthcare and social security, limited freedom of movement and acute debt bondage from unethical and illicit recruitment processes.

This all violates Malaysian laws and international standards. Commitments to corporate social responsibility and ESG (environmental, social and governance) policies that global brands and their investors publicly endorse were unfulfilled.

Many companies build profitable brands through innovation and quality, yet neglect workers without which they couldn’t operate. Supply chain abuses are often uncovered not through proactive due diligence and monitoring by companies, but by activists or media investigations.

The failure of global brands to identify, prevent, address and remedy modern slavery risks in their suppliers factories results in worker abuse. It also means reputational damage for the brands involved and, if effective advocacy is undertaken also, some level of accountability.

Kawaguchi closed and its owners seemingly disappeared when Sony and Panasonic abruptly stopped buying its products after the abusive working and living conditions went public. Daikin followed suit.

Unable to afford food or support their families, workers became further indebted and destitute. Some suffered serious illness and accidents with no effective access to public healthcare.

Despite media coverage of the workers bravely protesting outside their locked-up factory gates with brand labels visible on banners, and my usual flurry of emails, their suffering was not addressed in a timely manner.

The cost of maintaining the workers was borne by me until Daikin took over to pay for food, a medical assessment and hospital costs for sick workers.

While corporate responsibility is essential in such situations, government oversight is equally important. The absence of any support from Malaysian and Bangladeshi officials to these workers was a serious omission.

UN agencies, international organisations, unions and civil society actors can also play an important role in crisis cases, but here they were missing in action.

A multi-stakeholder dialogue on the crisis eventually happened, facilitated by a UN business human rights expert. Sony, Panasonic and Daikin asked the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) to give RM20,000 to each worker as a result.

It took five months for this money to reach all workers, despite a digital wallet facilitating timely transfers of funds once it was properly utilised. The inability of the RBA to deliver aid quickly exacerbated the crisis. A lack of clarity in eligibility criteria has left many departed former workers without any support until today.

Voluntary repatriation of over 30 workers to Bangladesh was difficult, owing to the workers’ irregular immigration status, but was eventually successful.

The relocation of workers who wanted to stay and work in Malaysia from unsanitary hostels was chaotic due to official bureaucracy and confusion. But eventually most workers secured better jobs and housing.

Workers expected Kawaguchi to provide RM3 million in unpaid wages following a negotiated labour tribunal agreement. Only RM253,000 has been paid so far and pro-bono lawyers to assist workers in enforcing their entitlement were not accessible.

UN agencies and civil society organisations turned down legal support requests. The Bar Council agreed to step in, but did not. Recently, workers hired a lawyer to represent them to try to claim back wages.

Whilst Daikin agreed to pay its share of workers’ compensation request in late 2024, Sony and Panasonic resisted and a complaint was filed with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) against them in Japan. Workers then retained a US lawyer who negotiated a substantial settlement with both companies.

There was much more accountability in financial terms for the brands involved here than is usual when rights violations occur in supply chains. But it’s regrettable this remediation took one year and was not more forthcoming.

More holistic approaches to corporate social responsibility in modern slavery cases like Kawaguchi, prioritising workers’ welfare, crisis assistance and timely remediation are essential.

Brands should implement worker driven social compliance audits to more effectively and proactively monitor their supply chains for abuses.

They should also encourage and contribute financially towards more responsible migrant worker recruitment, employment and living standards generally.

Governments should enforce labour laws more effectively and establish mechanisms to sustain vulnerable workers in crisis.

Timely consular assistance and support for workers to find new employment quickly to sustain and empower them should be prioritised by all state actors.

Responsible migrant recruitment processes should be more strongly promoted by governments to prevent debt bondage of migrants altogether.

UN actors, civil society and unions should ensure victims’ basic needs are met in crisis situations. Pro-bono legal support, shelters, healthcare and food should be accessible.

OECD complaint mechanisms also need to be more effective. The Japanese secretariat should be more proactive on complaints filed with it, calling upon relevant parties to have constructive and good-faith dialogue so lawsuits do not need to be threatened.

Forced labour and modern slavery are frequently detected in global supply chains in places like Malaysia, where systemic impunity and limited rule of law exists. So we all should learn lessons from the Kawaguchi case to do better for vulnerable workers next time.

Andy Hall is an independent migrant worker rights specialist.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.

FMT 20th Sept 2025: Panasonic, rights group reach historic settlement over 250 ‘unpaid’ Bangladeshi former Kawaguchi workers in Malaysia 

Panasonic, rights group reach settlement over 250 ‘unpaid’ foreign workers

The workers, who were formerly employed by a supplier of components to Panasonic, are expected to receive compensation and reimbursement of recruitment fees.

Sourced from: FMT – 20th September 2025

PETALING JAYA:

More than 250 Bangladesh workers who reportedly were not paid for seven months last year are to receive a significant amount in settlement of their dispute with their former employer.

The settlement was reached by the Japanese multinational Panasonic and the watchdog group International Rights Advocates (IRAdvocates) which took up the workers case.

The foreign workers were formerly employed by Kawaguchi Manufacturing Sdn Bhd, a supplier of components to Panasonic.

The amount of the settlement was not disclosed, but FMT was made to understand that it was a significant sum.

Migrant labour rights activist Andy Hall, who referred the Kawaguchi case to IRAdvocates late last year, said he was pleased that there had been some level of accountability in the matter.

“I am relieved that the workers debt has finally been fully removed, they have been compensated for the salaries that Kawaguchi didn’t pay and they have been provided a substantial amount of additional compensation for their suffering,” he said.

Terrence Collingsworth, founder and executive director of IRAdvocates, said Panasonic provided the workers with “much-needed financial assistance” through reimbursement of recruitment fees which the workers said they had paid.

Collingsworth said Panasonic was also monitoring whether Kawaguchi is fulfilling the payment of unpaid salaries promised to the workers. He commended Panasonic for conducting audits and taking corrective measures after allegations of wrongful labour practices at Kawaguchi.

Three months ago, Collingsworth had also praised Sony, another Japanese firm, for providing monetary aid to Bangladeshi workers.

Kawaguchi had reportedly agreed in December 2024 to pay over RM3 million in overdue salaries to their foreign workers, with the labour office in Putrajaya agreeing to arrange for the workers to be employed by other companies.

The company reached the decision five days after the workers held a peaceful protest outside the factory in Port Klang to demand the salaries owed to them.

However, the workers alleged that the company paid only the first instalment of RM250,000 and then defaulted on the remaining amount.

In December, air-conditioner manufacturer Daikin was reported to have contributed US$12,000 in emergency food and medical aid and an additional amount of financial aid to each worker.

Daikin, Panasonic and Sony jointly through the Responsible Business Alliance were also reported to have provided RM20,000 as reimbursement of recruitment fee for each worker.

9.17.25 IRAdvocates and Panasonic Reach Historic Settlement for Workers.pdf (IRA full statement)Download

FMT 24th July 2025: Kawaguchi company facing criminal charges in Malaysia over unpaid Bangladeshi worker wages in high profile Japanese consumer goods modern slavery case, says source

Kawaguchi facing charges over unpaid worker wages, says source

A law firm representing the affected workers says the charges relate to the company’s purported failure to comply with a labour court’s orders in high profile Japanese consumer goods. The labour department has filed charges against plastic component supplier Kawaguchi Manufacturing Sdn Bhd — now known as Alpha Integral Sdn Bhd — over its alleged failure to pay outstanding wages to 249 former employees, a source said.

Sourced from: FMT by FMT Reporters – July 17th 2025

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the source said the case was called up in court on July 16 but was postponed as the department’s officers were unable to serve the summons on the company or its director.

“As a result the court fixed a new date in September to allow the prosecution time to serve the summons,” the source said.

Louis Liaw Chambers, the law firm representing the affected workers, told FMT the charges relate to the company’s purported failure to comply with orders issued by a labour court.

Kawaguchi Manufacturing had in December last year agreed to pay the workers their salary arrears in nine instalments, beginning January 15, with the rest due monthly from April 2025 until November 2025.

The agreements were reached after the former workers staged a peaceful protest at the company’s factory in Port Klang. They agreements were recorded in orders issued by the labour court.

The company made the first payment, but is alleged to have missed payments due in April, May, June and July.

Last Friday, it was reported that the workers’ lawyers had issued the company with a letter of demand giving it until July 21 to settle all overdue payments or risk further legal action.

Kawaguchi Manufacturing is understood not to have responded to the letter or met any of the outstanding payments.

Separately, independent migrant worker rights activist Andy Hall said the labour department’s decision to take Kawaguchi Manufacturing to court was “timely and appropriate”.

“Accountability is essential and deeply personal for the exploited workers in this case,” he said when contacted.

However, Hall expressed concern that victims of “modern slavery” are still required to fund their own legal representation.

17th July 2025 FMT: Kawaguchi in Malaysia served letter of demand over close to RM3mil in unpaid wages to modern slavery victKawaguchi served letter of demand over close to RM3mil in unpaid wages

Lawyers for 249 former workers of the plastic component supplier warn of court action if overdue payments are not settled by July 21.

Workers of plastic component supplier Kawaguchi Manufacturing protesting at the company’s factory in Port Klang in December last year.

Sourced from: https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2025/07/18/kawaguchi-served-lod-over-nearly-rm3mil-in-unpaid-wages

PETALING JAYA:

A plastic component supplier has been served a letter of demand over nearly RM3 million in unpaid wages allegedly owed to 249 former workers.

Lawyers from Louis Liaw Chambers said Kawaguchi Manufacturing Sdn Bhd, now known as Alpha Integral Sdn Bhd, failed to comply with labour court-sanctioned settlements signed in December 2024.

The agreement was reached after the former workers staged a peaceful protest at the company’s factory in Port Klang.

Under the agreement, the company was supposed to pay the workers in nine instalments, starting on Jan 15, with the rest due monthly until November 2025.

The company made the first payment but missed four payments due in April, May, June and July, the lawyers alleged.

“In particular, you have failed, refused, and/or neglected to pay our clients the required instalment payments that were due on April 15, May 15, June 15 and July 15, as per the settlement agreement and labour court order,” read the letter sighted by FMT.

The company has until July 21 to settle the overdue payments, failing which the lawyers said they may pursue legal options, including converting the labour court awards into court judgments, enforcement actions such as winding-up proceedings, and imposing interest charges of 8% annually.

The lawyers also warned that the company’s directors and managers could face personal fines under the Employment Act for failing to comply with the labour court’s order.

They added that changing the company’s name from Kawaguchi to Alpha Integral does not remove its legal obligations.

Alpha Integral did not immediately respond to FMT’s request for comment.

FMT 16th June 2025: Multinational corporation SONY comes to aid of Bangladeshi former Kawaguchi workers in modern slavery case in Malaysia

Sony steps in to ease the burden on 283 reported to have gone without pay for seven months.

A Japanese multinational corporation has provided monetary aid to some 283 Bangladeshi workers who had reportedly gone without pay for seven months last year under a different company, an international human rights group said.

Original Source: FMT Reporters – 16th June 2025

Sony took “meaningful and proactive steps to assist the workers, including providing much-needed financial assistance”, International Rights Advocates (IRAdvocates) said.

However, it did not disclose the amount.

“IRAdvocates applauds Sony for taking a constructive approach towards this situation and is grateful to Sony for its cooperation,” the group’s founder and executive director, Terrence Collingsworth, said in a statement.

Collingsworth said that when issues concerning the migrant workers first surfaced, IRAdvocates raised the matter with their previous employer, Kawaguchi Nanufacturing Sdn Bhd, and certain manufacturers who were Kawaguchi’s downstream customers.

One such manufacturer was Sony, he said.

To its credit, Sony raised its concerns with Kawaguchi and requested that the company promptly implement corrective measures after the allegations emerged, he said.

He said Sony also stopped doing business with Kawaguchi.

Collingsworth said the Kawaguchi case is a powerful reminder that change is possible when corporations genuinely embrace accountability and collaboration.

“IRAdvocates applaud Sony’s constructive action, highlighting a path forward where companies uphold human rights sincerely, beyond mere words and empty promises,” he said.

On Dec 18, it was reported that Kawaguchi had agreed to pay its foreign employees their overdue salaries, with the Putrajaya labour office agreeing to arrange for them to be employed by other companies.

The company reached the decision five days after the workers held a peaceful protest outside the factory in Port Klang to demand the salaries owed to them.

Separately, migrant labour rights activist Andy Hall, who referred the case to Collingsworth late last year, said Sony should be applauded for emulating Daikin Industries Ltd.

In December, it was reported that Daikin, the world’s largest air-conditioner manufacturer, contributed US$12,000 to the affected foreign workers in emergency food and medical aid. It also provided an additional amount of financial aid to each worker.

“The money Sony has provided is significant and will provide yet more respite for these victims of modern slavery, who remain in severe situations of debt bondage,” Hall told FMT.

—

International Rights Associates (IRA/Terence Collingsworth) full public statement on Sony settlement for immediate release on 16/6/2025 – When Multinationals Choose Collaboration over Conflict.pdfDownload

Associated Press 21st May 2025: Migrant workers in Malaysia seek unpaid wages from Kawaguchi, a supplier to Japanese companies Panasonic, Sony, Daikin, Hisense and others

HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — Around 280 Bangladeshi migrant workers in Malaysia are demanding hundreds of thousands of dollars in back wages and other money owed to them after their former employer, a plastic parts supplier to big Japanese companies, closed down. Kawaguchi workers protest 

Original Source: AP News by ANIRUDDHA GHOSAL – May 21, 2025

(Full video on site) 

The workers at Kawaguchi Manufacturing’s factory in Port Klang, Malaysia’s largest port city, were left stranded when the company withheld their wages for up to eight months before shutting down late last year. The workers have filed complaints in Malaysia and back home in Bangladesh. A motorcyclist rides past a Kawaguchi Manufacturing factory in Klang, Malaysia, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Azneal Ishak)

Such disputes have become a diplomatic sore point between Bangladesh and Malaysia, drawing scrutiny on a small but powerful group of recruitment agencies and middlemen who monopolize such jobs. Bangladeshi workers from Kawaguchi company protest in front of the closed factory in late December 2024

Asif Nazrul, an adviser to Bangladesh’s expatriate welfare ministry, met with Malaysia’s Home Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong in Kuala Lumpur last week. Officials were due to meet again Wednesday in Dhaka, the Bangladesh capital. 

The interim government that took over in Bangladesh after the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has placed a higher priority on the plight of migrant workers who often get trapped in debt after paying exorbitant recruitment fees to work in dismal conditions for little pay. Bangladeshi migrant workers eat a meal at their dormitory in Klang, Malaysia, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Azneal Ishak).A Bangladeshi migrant worker takes a shower at his dormitory in Klang, Malaysia, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Azneal Ishak).A Bangladeshi migrant worker rests on a dormitory bed in Klang, Malaysia, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Azneal Ishak)

Labor advocates say the situation is worsening as more people from across South Asia, sometimes losing their livelihoods due to climate change, seek work in Southeast Asia.

Trade tensions between the U.S. and China have accelerated that trend as factories move from China to places in Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and elsewhere.

Workers allege abuse

The workers have received just 251,000 ringgit ($58,101) of the more than 3 million ringgit ($694,444) in back wages that a Malaysian labor tribunal ordered Kawaguchi to pay. Many have found new jobs but still have heavy debts after borrowing money to pay hefty recruitment fees.

The workers allege they were sometimes required to work without breaks for 24-hour shifts and on holidays with no paid overtime, making plastic casings for televisions and air conditioners. They say Kawaguchi confiscated their passports, provided inadequate housing and delayed their visa renewals.

The factory shut down in December, soon after Sony Group and Panasonic Holdings Corp., two of Kawaguchi’s main customers, halted their orders in response to the allegations against their supplier.A bicycle passes in front of a Kawaguchi Manufacturing factory in Klang, Malaysia, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Azneal Ishak)Read More

After the factory closed, the workers say Malaysian officials forcibly sent many of them to another city some 360 kilometers (220 miles) away to toil in new factory jobs without giving them any information. They were kept in filthy shipping containers converted into dormitories. Another 80 workers were told to work in palm oil plantations — but refused. 

Most made their way back to Port Klang to seek work and chip away at the debts that have been accumulating. It took nearly three months for them to get permission from the Malaysian government to switch jobs.

The Associated Press got no response to multiple requests to Kawaguchi for comment. Malaysia’s labor department also didn’t respond to requests for comment.

Md Kabir Hossain’s case is typical. The 19-year-old said he borrowed more than $4,000 to get to Malaysia from his hometown Rangpur in Bangladesh in November 2023, after his family’s textile shop began to fail. The family’s sole wage earner, he defaulted on one of his loans and wasn’t able to send money back home, as his family struggled to keep their shop going.

“I am constantly worried about what will happen to my family,” he said.

Another worker, Parvez Azam said he didn’t know how much longer he could keep going. “If this goes on, we’ll die here,” he said.

Wider trends across developing Asia

A uniform used by a migrant worker at Kawaguchi Manufacturing is seen hanging in a dormitory in Klang, Malaysia, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Azneal Ishak)

Factories in Malaysia and other countries in Southeast Asia rely on migrant workers, often from Bangladesh, Myanmar and Nepal, to fill labor-intensive jobs in manufacturing, plantations, or construction that local workers won’t perform for the wages offered. 

The cost of recruitment and migration from Bangladesh to Malaysia is among the most expensive in the world, according to the International Labor Organization’s office in Bangladesh.A Bangladeshi migrant worker watches Bangladeshi news on his phoneat a dormitory in Klang, Malaysia, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Azneal Ishak).

The official recruitment fee is about $650 per worker. But all the workers at Kawaguchi said they paid nearly $5,000. The loans they took to pay such sums has pushed them into debt bondage as they labor to pay off ever mounting debts.

In 2023, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia should end use of recruitment agents, describing the system as “modern slavery.” But a 2024 study of Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia found that more than 70% had spent at least half of their wages to pay off recruitment debts. Most have at least two loans and many said they were misled about their wages.

Nearly everyone who migrates overseas from Bangladesh, one of the countries most affected by climate change, has suffered at least one form of modern slavery, like withholding of wages or physical violence, according to a study by the London-based think tank International Institute for Environment and Development. 

Mohamad Mohosin, 38, said he moved to Malaysia when his crops failed because of extreme weather. After going months without being paid his debt has spiraled, forcing his large family in Bangladesh to borrow still more money. “My family is in trouble,” he said.Bangladeshi migrant worker Mohamad Mohosin, 38, speaks during an interview with the Associated Press at a dormitory in Klang, Malaysia, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Azneal Ishak)

Among migrant workers, Bangladeshis often end up in the riskiest jobs, such as plantation work where they can catch mosquito-borne diseases, or physically demanding factory or construction roles, where the likelihood of accidents is higher, said Shariful Islam Hasan of BRAC.

“Despite the high risk and the high migration cost, salaries are too low,” he said.

Seeking help from Japan

Panasonic, Sony and Daikin, three of Kawaguchi’s former main customers among about a dozen, agreed to cover an estimated $1.3 million of the recruitment costs paid by the workers. It’s unclear how much each company is contributing.

“This doesn’t cover all the workers’ costs, including interest rates of up to 30% they must pay on their loans,” said Andy Hall, a British labor activist who has been helping the workers. Many have also defaulted on their debts after going months without wages. 

“They’re absolutely desperate and they’re at very high risk of falling into even worse situations,” Hall said.Bangladeshi migrant workers play cards in a dormitory in Klang, Malaysia, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Azneal Ishak).

Daikin settled with the workers, agreeing to pay them more, although it says it accounted for only 1% to 2% of Kawaguchi’s orders. The air conditioner manufacturer told AP it was working with human rights groups to resolve any remaining issues. 

Panasonic said it was “proportionally reimbursing the recruitment fees” paid by workers and had asked Kawaguchi to correct labor violations. It said it tried to support Kawaguchi but had to disengage from the company due to its financial woes and anticipated production problems.

Sony told AP its code of conduct prohibits abusive labor practices in its supply chain. After investigating, it demanded corrective measures. “When our demands were not satisfied, we terminated our relationship with this supplier,” it said.

The workers are seeking more help and lawyer Terry Collingsworth of U.S.-based International Rights Advocates, who is representing them, said that they were in discussions with Sony and Panasonic.

“We are not asking you to admit liability. We are asking you to comply with your public commitment to remediate when one of your suppliers violates the human rights of its workers,” said a Jan. 16 letter from Collingsworth to Sony and Panasonic.Kawaguchi workers protests in December 2024

ANIRUDDHA GHOSAL

Ghosal covers the intersection of business and climate change in southeast Asia for The Associated Press. He is based out of Hanoi in Vietnam.

—

All the latest on the Kawaguchi case, including company responses and timeline, available on the BHRRC website outlined below and at https://www.bhrrc.org/en/latest-news/malaysia-plastics-co-supplying-to-panasonic-sony-daikin-accused-of-violating-rights-of-bangladeshi-workers-with-indicators-of-forced-labour-incl-cos-responses/BHRRC website resourceBHRRC website resource available at https://www.bhrrc.org/en/latest-news/malaysia-plastics-co-supplying-to-panasonic-sony-daikin-accused-of-violating-rights-of-bangladeshi-workers-with-indicators-of-forced-labour-incl-cos-responses/International Trade Today January 15, 2025 Vol. 41, No. 10: Foreign Workers to Sue Sony and Panasonic Over Forced Labor 

*International Trade Today January 15, 2025 Vol. 41, No. 10: Foreign Workers to Sue Sony and Panasonic Over Forced Labor *

Foreign workers from Bangladesh are preparing to sue Sony and Panasonic in U.S. court over forced labor conditions at their former employer in Malaysia, Kawaguchi Manufacturing, a plastics supplier for the two companies.

The workers are alleging “exploitation, mistreatment, and non-payment of wages,” migrant worker rights activist Andy Hall said in a blog post.

Additionally, he alleges that the workers were forced to pay recruitment fees and had their passports taken away by the company.

Hall already has submitted a trade violation complaint with CBP.

The companies, which confirmed the allegations of forced labor at Kawaguchi in December (see 2412060061), offered to pay the workers $4,400 each, which would not be enough to cover the recruitment fees.

“A number of workers are still in significant debt and at risk of debt bondage,” Hall said.

The lawyer representing the workers, Terrence Collingsworth of International Rights Advocates, said that he is “frankly disgusted” by the companies’ lack of responsiveness, but that he is sending a third letter this week to try to settle the matter out of court, not having received replies to his first two letters.

“There’s no question that we will file a case [in court] if they don’t wish to be more constructive,” Collingsworth said.

Collingsworth also is appealing a decision by the Court of International Trade that his organization doesn’t have standing to challenge CBP’s inaction in responding to a petition to ban cocoa from Cote d’Ivoire (see 2408160009 and 2408080049).

“The companies were hoping to just pay the recruitment fees. But they worked under forced labor conditions, they were trafficked and are owed compensation,” Collingsworth said.

“My interest is getting the workers a reasonable amount of money in addition to the [$4,400] so they can move on.”

—See ABC’s full story at https://www.instagram.com/reel/DD6WXQjJxj5/?igsh=amVwdDFmOTU4NWk5 

ABC News: Over 200 migrant workers at a plastics factory in Malaysia that supplies to Sony and Panasonic haven’t been paid for over six months

Forced overtime, withheld passports and dirty living conditions are other abuses that have been raised to the Japanese electronics giants.

After investigating the abuses they are severing ties with the company. But activists say
“cutting and running” leaves workers in a more precarious position.

See ABC’s full story at https://www.instagram.com/reel/DD6WXQjJxj5/?igsh=amVwdDFmOTU4NWk5 and https://amp.abc.net.au/article/104705876

OECD COMPLAINT FILED

Employees of Kawaguchi Manufacturing vs. Kawaguchi Manufacturing, Sony and Panasonic

Labour rights violations at supplier to Sony and Panasonic

https://www.oecdwatch.org/complaint/employees-of-kawaguchi-manufacturing-vs-kawaguchi-manufacturing-sony-and-panasonic/Date filed: 27 December 2024

• Due diligence,
• Forced labour,
• Human rights,
• Supply chain

Countries of harm

• Malaysia

Current status

FiledSector

• Manufacturing

NCP

• NCP Japan

Allegations

On 27 December 2024, 251 workers of Kawaguchi Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd. (“Kawaguchi Manufacturing”), represented by lawyers, filed a complaint against Kawaguchi Manufacturing, Sony Corporation (“Sony”) and Panasonic Corporation (“Panasonic”) at the Japanese NCP. The complaint concerns alleged labour rights violations at Kawaguchi Manufacturing in Malaysia and their links to Sony and Panasonic.

The complainants allege that workers at Kawaguchi Manufacturing have experienced violations indicative of forced labour, including non-payment of wages, confiscation of passports, intimation and charging of high recruitment fees, among other labour rights violations. They allege that Sony and Panasonic, who sourced from Kawaguchi Manufacturing, failed to adequately engage with the workers and provide for remediation. They allege that Sony and Panasonic discontinued their business with Kawaguchi Manufacturing instead, which drove Kawaguchi Manufacturing to cease operations.

The complainants are seeking repayment of unpaid wages and recruitment fees and compensation for mental damage.

More details

Defendant

• Kawaguchi Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd.

Company in violation

• Kawaguchi Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd.

Other companies involved

• Sony Corporation
• Panasonic Corporation

Complainants

• Employees of Kawaguchi Manufacturing

Affected people

• Workers

Documents

• 27 December 2024 Complaint filed to Japan NCP Complainants

Updated FULL Kawaguchi Case Report (Jan 2025)Download

Additional Background Readingon Kawaguchi:

FMT 23rd Feb 2025: Two-thirds of Malaysia’s ex-Kawaguchi company employees have found new jobs but remain in situation of acute modern slavery, activist reveals

22nd Jan 2025: Industriall – Forced labour allegations at Kawaguchi, Malaysia

FMT 7th Jan 2025: Kawaguchi foreign workers in Malaysia preparing to sue 2 prominent Japanese companies, Sony and Panasonic, in U.S. courts

FMT 31st Dec 2024: Kawaguchi workers ‘forced’ to relocate, claims activist (Sony, Panasonic and Daikin Malaysian supplier case) 

26th December 2024: FMT – Penniless and unemployed, Kawaguchi’s foreign workers in Malaysia hoping to secure jobs before Ramadan (Sony, Panasonic & Daikin supplier case)

FMT 22nd Dec 2024: Resolve migrant worker pay issues to avoid economic jeopardy, says ex-MP

20th December 2024: FMT – Air-con giant Daikin comes to rescue of unpaid modern slavery victims and foreign Kawaguchi workers (Kawaguchi supplies Sony, Panasonic and Daikin – Daikin smallest buyer) 

20th December 2024 – “Seven months of unpaid wages: ‘When will I be free?’” Malaysia: Report on Kawaguchi (Sony, Panasonic, Daikin and Hisense/Sanden supplier) released by PARC 

Malay Mail 19th Dec 2024: Malaysian Labour Dept to assist Kawaguchi workers securing new jobs, firm agrees to settle over RM3m backdated pay in agreement described as ‘offensive,’ global buyers Sony, Panasonic and Daikin remain silent

FMT 18th Dec 2024: Kawaguchi to pay foreign workers’ owed salary in Malaysia after negotiations – Major Japanese conglomerates Sony, Panasonic and Daikin remain silent after unethical cut and run

Malay Mail 18th Dec 2024: Electronics maker faces Labour Dept inquiry Over RM806,310 in unpaid wages, substandard housing to Bangladeshi workers

NST 17th Dec 2024: 8 investigation papers opened against Kawaguchi, accomodation providers

17th Dec 2024: FMT Malaysian Labour dept promises justice for Kawaguchi Manufacturing modern slavery victims from Bangladesh on strike, Kawaguchi key customers were Sony, Panasonic, and Daikin

ABC 15th Dec 2024: Sony, Panasonic ‘cut and run’ from Malaysian supplier Kawaguchi accused of wage theft

15th Dec 2024: FMT – Ex-MP calls for ministry action after salary protest at Malaysia’s Kawaguchi plastics company supplying Japanese conglomerates Sony, Panasonic and Daikin

FMT 14th Dec 2024: Protest and alleged hostage taking at Kawaguchi plastics company in Malaysia by Bangladeshi migrant worker modern slavery victims over salary arrears – key Japanese buyers Sony, Panasonic and Daikin respond to BHRRC

26th Nov 2024: FMT – Worried Kawaguchi factory workers in Malaysia, producing Sony, Panasonic, Daikin and Sanden products, file a claim over RM800,000 (US$180,000) in wage arrears, deductions

18th Oct 2024: Sony admits own audit found probable labour code violation by Malaysian contractor Kawaguchi

19th Sept 2024 Malay Mail: Panasonic, Sony and Daikin vows probe into forced labour claim against Malaysian contractor

17th Sept 2024 FMT: Japanese electronics giants probe Malaysian supplier Kawaguchi after delayed salary payments

BHRRC 17th Sept 2024 – Malaysia: Plastics co. supplying to Panasonic, Sony & Daikin accused of violating rights of Bangladeshi workers; incl. indicators of forced labour; incl. cos. responses

6th Sept 2024: Malay Mail – Malaysian HR Ministry opens probe into slave labour claims against contractor (Kawaguchi) for Sony, Panasonic and Daikin

5th Sept 2024: FMT – Malaysian labour dept probes Bangladeshi workers’ forced labour claims

31st Aug 2024 Somoy News: Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia remain unpaid for 5 months

Updated Japanese company responses also available on BHRRC site (see below) 

Malaysia: Plastics co. supplying to Panasonic, Sony & Daikin accused of violating rights of Bangladeshi workers with indicators of forced labour; incl. cos. responses

We are all living a miserable life in Malaysia, not being able to eat, pay our debts and send money to our families.

Migrant worker, Kawaguchi Manufacturing

In September 2024, it was reported that over 200 Bangladeshi workers employed by Kawaguchi Manufacturing, a plastics company in Malaysia, have been experiencing human rights violations, including several indicators of forced labour. Kawaguchi allegedly supplies to major electronics firms, including Panasonic, Sony and Daikin, according to the Malay Mail.

Free Malaysia Today reported that migrant rights activist Andy Hall shared interviews with workers alleging labour rights abuse, including:

• Wage theft: the workers say they have not been paid for six months, which has caused distress on both them and their families back home.
• Recruitment fee charging: the workers say they were charged high fees for their jobs and took out loans to cover the fees.
• Denial of leave: the workers say they are forced to work seven days a week without public holidays or overtime pay. In one video, a worker says he is forced to work 12 hours a day.
• Unsuitable living conditions: the workers say they live in overcrowded and unhygienic accommodation.
• Failing to renew visas: some of the workers are allegedly without visas as the company failed to renew them. This has left them undocumented and vulnerable.
• Intimidation: the workers who raised concerns have been threatened with detention, deportation and police action. Four workers have been sent back to Bangladesh “as punishment”, according to Free Malaysia Today.
• Passport confiscation: the company allegedly withheld workers’ passports.

The Selangor labour department is now investigating the allegations.

The Malaysian based plastics industry, which is indeed an essential part of many international companies and brands globally supply chains and finished products, currently consists of conditions prevalent for systemic migrant forced labour.

Andy Hall, migrant worker activist

In September, the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre invited Daikin, Panasonic, and Sony to respond to the findings, and: a) confirm whether they still source from Kawaguchi Manufacturing, and/or the date when they stopped sourcing from the company; b) disclose any human rights due diligence they undertake prior to entering into contracts with suppliers and when monitoring working conditions at suppliers; c) disclose the steps they have taken to investigate the abuse reported; and, d) disclose the steps they have taken to remedy workers for the fee-charging, intimidation of protesting workers, and wage theft.

Daikin, Panasonic and Sony’s responses can be read in full below.

The Resource Centre was not able to contact Kawaguchi Manufacturing to invite a response to the allegations; if a response is received in future this page will be updated accordingly.

In October 2024, Daikin and Sony disclosed updates on their investigations into the case. Their updates can be read in full below.

Towards the end of November, Malaysian news outlets reported on workers’ concerns that buyers were halting sourcing from the factory in light of the ongoing allegations, citing moulds and other equipment being removed from the factory. About 60 workers at the time of that reporting had filed four separate reports with the labour department, claiming they are still owed unpaid wages and unauthorised salary deductions of almost USD180k.

Japanese companies Sony and Panasonic

The Resource Centre to all three buyers for a second time to understand how any exiting was being undertaken in line with responsible procurement principles. We asked the Japanese companies to confirm whether they had terminated sourcing, when this occurred, and which stakeholders were consulted in the decision-making. Panasonic confirmed it had completed all payments and accepted delivery delays from Kawaguchi, but was engaging “other suppliers who can provide the parts for the products currently being ordered by our customers, to whom certain molds were transferred”. Sony said it “had to conclude to discontinue the transaction with the company”. In its response, Daikin highlighted that its orders from Kawaguchi only account for 1-2% of its orders and stated the company would be unable to support Kawaguchi on its own, once Sony and Panasonic stopped sourcing from the factory.

In December 2024, 251 workers of Kawaguchi Manufacturing filed a complaint against Kawaguchi Manufacturing, Sony and Panasonic at the Japanese NCP.

In January 2025, Daikin, Sony and Panasonic were invited to provide updates on the state of remedy for Kawaguchi workers since mid-December 2024 and respond to allegations the settlement reached is inadequate. Developments reported since include:

• Following a five-day worker protest, remediation was discussed at a mediation with Kawaguchi in December but the settlement – which was reportedly agreed to span January 15 2025 until November 15 2025 – is alleged to be “inadequate” and a “formality”.
• Food provision is an acute issue as workers have been surviving on credit-bought food and loans are now due to shopkeepers given previous assurances of backpay by December 2024. While Daikin reportedly donated to distribute food through a local charity, there is no reporting of Sony or Panasonic doing similarly.
• While the labour office had promised the workers transfer to alternative employment, workers reported they were “forced” to accept these jobs, could not negotiate and were not informed of the terms of their employment, and feared continued exploitation.

Latest responses from Daikin and Panasonic are available in full below. Sony did not itself respond but highlighted the recent statement released by the Responsible Business Alliance, of which Sony and Panasonic are members.

In February 2025, Free Malaysia Today reported that 181 of the 251 foreign workers secured new jobs. 

Timeline

• Two-thirds of ex-Kawaguchi employees have found new jobs, activist revealsDate: 23 Feb 2025 Content Type: Article
• Panasonic update to Kawaguchi case Date: 20 Feb 2025 Content Type: Disclosure
• RBA Update on Repayment of Worker Recruitment Fees Related to Kawaguchi Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd.
  Date: 18 Feb 2025 Content Type:
  RBA Disclosure
• Daikin update to Kawaguchi case
  Date: 17 Feb 2025
  Content Type: Daikin Disclosure 
• Update re situation for Kawaguchi Manufacturing workers, 7 February 2025Date: 7 Feb 2025 Content Type:
  Article by Andy Hall
• Forced labour allegations at Kawaguchi, MalaysiaDate: 21 Jan 2025 Content Type: Article Industriall 
• Panasonic response re alleged insufficient remedy to Kawaguchi workersDate: 15 Jan 2025 Content Type: Company Response
• Sony non-response re alleged insufficient remedy to Kawaguchi workersDate: 14 Jan 2025 Content Type: Company Response
• 2nd letter from RBA: Repayment of Worker Recruitment Fees Related to Kawaguchi Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd.
  Date: 13 Jan 2025 Content Type: Disclosure
• Daikin response re alleged insufficient remedy to Kawaguchi workersDate: 10 Jan 2025 Content Type: Company Response
• USA: Kawaguchi Manufacturing migrant workers to file lawsuit against two Japanese companies for alleged exploitationDate: 8 Jan 2025
  Content Type: Article – The 251 Bangladeshi workers who were denied pay for seven months by Kawaguchi Manufacturing are preparing to sue two Japanese companies in Washington DC. Led by activist Andy Hall, they seek damages, compensation, and an apology for exploitation and mistreatment.
• Kawaguchi workers ‘forced’ to relocate, claims activistDate: 31 Dec 2024 Content Type: Article – Andy Hall says many of them have had to take on new jobs but were not able to negotiate the terms of their employment.
• Employees of Kawaguchi Manufacturing vs. Kawaguchi Manufacturing, Sony and Panasonic
  Date: 27 Dec 2024 Content Type: Article OECD WATCH
• Penniless and unemployed, foreign workers hoping to secure jobs before RamadanDate: 26 Dec 2024
  Content Type: Article – The workers are also hoping to secure a job so they can repay their debts.
• Daikin status update re Kawaguchi workers: 20 December 2024Date:
  20 Dec 2024 Content Type: Disclosure
• Air-con giant comes to rescue of unpaid foreign workersDate: 20 Dec 2024 Content Type: Article – Daikin Industries Ltd gives US$12,000 to help 251 purchase food and aid items.
• Labour Dept to assist Kawaguchi workers in securing new jobs, firm agrees to settle over RM3m backdated payDate: 19 Dec 2024 Content Type: Article 
• Kawaguchi to pay foreign workers’ owed salaryDate: 18 Dec 2024 Content Type: Article – An agreement has been reached after a five-hour mediation at the labour office between the employer and a group of foreign workers.
• Sony, Panasonic ‘cut and run’ from Malaysian supplier accused of wage theftDate: 14 Dec 2024 Content Type: Article
• 2nd Daikin response re concerns of contract cutting at Malaysian manufacturer where migrants alleged forced labour5 Dec 2024 Type: Company Response
• 2nd Panasonic response re concerns of contract cutting at Malaysian manufacturer where migrants alleged forced labour5 Dec 2024 Type: Company Response
• 2nd Sony response re concerns of contract cutting at Malaysian manufacturer where migrants alleged forced labour28 Nov 2024 Type: Company Response
• Update: Panasonic disclosure re-allegations of labour rights abuse of Bangladeshi workers at Malaysian supplier28 Nov 2024 Type: Company Response
• Factory workers file claim over RM800,000 in wage arrears, deductions28 Nov 2024 Type: Company Response – Fifty-seven say they are worried Kawaguchi Manufacturing Sdn Bhd’s three major clients might cut ties with them over forced labour allegations.
• Letter from Responsible Business Alliance re alleged forced labour at members’ supplier, Kawaguchi ManufacturingDate:26 Nov 2024 Content Type: Disclosure
• Sony admits own audit found probable labour code violation by Malaysian contractorDate:18 Oct 2024 Content Type: Article
• Update: Sony disclosure re-allegations of labour rights abuse of Bangladeshi workers at Malaysian supplierDate: 16 Oct 2024 Content Type: Disclosure
• Update: Daikin disclosure re-allegations of labour rights abuse of Bangladeshi workers at Malaysian supplierDate: 4 Oct 2024 Content Type: Disclosure
• Panasonic, Sony and Daikin vows probe into forced-labour claim against Malaysian contractorDate: 19 Sep 2024 Content Type: Article
• Japanese electronics giants probe M’sian supplier after delayed salary paymentsDate: 17 Sep 2024 Content Type: Article
• Panasonic response to allegations of labour rights abuse of Bangladeshi workers at Malaysian supplierDate: 17 Sep 2024 Content Type: Company Response
• Sony response to allegations of labour rights abuse of Bangladeshi workers at Malaysian supplierDate: 13 Sep 2024 Content Type: Company Response
• Daikin response to allegations of labour rights abuse of Bangladeshi workers at Malaysian supplierDate: 12 Sep 2024 Content Type: Company Response
• HR Ministry opens probe into slave labour claims against contractor for Sony, Panasonic and DaikinDate: 6 Sep 2024 Content Type: Article
• Labour dept probes Bangladeshi workers’ forced labour claimsDate: 5 Sep 2024 Content Type: Article
• Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia remain unpaid for 5 monthsDate: 31 Aug 2024 Content Type: Article

Key Case Documents/Reports 

Updated Kawaguchi report
FULLDownload

OECD COMPLAINT FILE Employees-of-Kawaguchi-vs.-Kawaguchi-Manufacturing-Sony-and-Panasonic-Complaint.pdfDownload

1.15.25 FINAL Legal Notice Letter to Sony and Panasonic.docxDownload

12.22.24 SECOND Legal Notice Letter to SONY Panasonic and Daikin.pdfDownload

11.19.24 FIRST Legal Notice Letter to Sony, Panasonic and Daikin.pdfDownload

RBA Feb 2025 letter Kawaguchi Download

RBA Jan 2025 letter KawaguchiDownload

RBA Nov 2025 letter KawaguchiDownload

RBA Dec 2025 letter KawaguchiDownload

Sony third letter KawaguchiDownload

Sony second letter KawaguchiDownload

Sony first letter KawaguchiDownload

Panasonic fifth letter Kawaguchi Download

Panasonic fourth letter KawaguchiDownload

Panasonic third letter KawaguchiDownload

Panasonic second letter KawaguchiDownload

Panasonic first letter KawaguchiDownload

Daikin first letter KawaguchiDownload

Daikin second letter KawaguchiDownload

Daikin third letter Kawaguchi Download

Daikin fourth letter KawaguchiDownload

Daikin fifth letter KawaguchiDownload

Additional Background Reading on Bangladesh Malaysia migration syndicate:

TBS 23rd May 2025: Malaysia to reopen labour market to Bangaldeshi migrants, syndicate stays but may expand agency list – ‘major modern slavery risk continues: my response’

20th May 2025: BAIRA faction alleged attack during press briefing against Malaysian labour market syndicate

Daily Star 19th May 2025: ‘Job scam’ – 33 Bangladeshis sue Malaysian firm, govt for Tk 4.8cr

FMT 18th May 2025: 33 Bangladeshi migrant workers sue Malaysian recruitment firm, Malaysian govt over job scam from alleged syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi workers for forced labour in Malaysia

Bloomberg EXCLUSIVE 15th May 2025: Malaysia Asks Bangladesh to Withdraw Migrant Labor Probes

16th May 2025 Channel News Asia (CNA): Malaysia to resume recruitment of stranded Bangladeshi workers, vows to protect them from abuse, fraud

16th May 2025: Conditions on manpower export after Amin Noor was indicted – Malaysia calls for withdrawal of all controversial cases against 100 agencies designated by government

FMT 15th May 2025: Bangladesh clears Malaysia of labour abuse claims

Daily Star Editorial 15th May 2025: Don’t let Malaysia recruitment syndicates exploit migrants again – Workers’ rights must be prioritised during bilateral talks

Daily Star 16th May 2025: Malaysia job market – Bangladeshis may be given preference

Star 16th May 2025: Malaysia committed to protecting Bangladeshi workers from exploitation, says Saifuddin

Daily Sun 16th May 2025: Malaysian labour market beckons Bangladeshis again

New Nation 16th May 2025: Malaysia labour market set to reopenDaily Sun Infographic 16th May  

SCMP 15th May 2025: Malaysia, Bangladesh urged to act on labour trafficking before ending migrant worker freeze

‘Thousands’ of Bangladeshis are stranded without jobs in Malaysia after a hiring freeze forced them to overstay illegally, activists say

—

FMT 15th May 2025: Malaysia asks Bangladesh to withdraw migrant labour probes (taken from Bloomberg media) 

Daily Star 15th May 2025: Bangladesh Malaysia agrees to recruit ‘large number’ of Bangladeshi workers

Daily Star 14th May 2025: Bangladeshi migrants in malaysia: Dhaka’s uphill battle to break syndicate chains

Daily Sun 15th May 2025: REOPENING OF MALAYSIAN LABOUR MARKET – A new deal or another compromise with syndication?

TBS 14th May 2025: Rights body urges syndicate-free hiring as expatriate adviser visits Malaysia

FMT 14th May 2025: Malaysia-Bangladesh labour talks must address cartel issues, says ex-MP as Bangladeshi Expatriates Advisor Arrives in Malaysia 

ProthomAlo 18th April 2025: Bangladesh: Awami League supporters are dropping out, but the ‘Malaysia Circle’ is trying to form again

হোমঅন্যান্য
মালয়েশিয়ায় আবারও সিন্ডিকেটের পাঁয়তারা, সতর্ক করলেন শ্রম অধিকার কর্মী
বাংলা ট্রিবিউন রিপোর্ট
০৭ এপ্রিল ২০২৫, ১৯:০৫ (Syndicates are on the rise again in Malaysia, warns labor rights activist)

FMT 7th Apr 2025: Activist warns of syndicate threat to migrant labour reforms in Malaysia

TBS 8th May 2025: Halt Malaysia worker flow if syndicate persists: Labour stakeholders to govt

Bangla News 24 8th 2025: Fraud in manpower export to Malaysia
That dream is still elusive (Bangladeshi Language)

Aliran 8th May 2025: Breaking a 30-year monopoly on Malaysia’s migrant worker medical testing syndicate: Why Fomema should not dominate foreign worker medical screenings in the future – calling for an end to Malaysian foreign worker healthcare/recruitment syndicate

Ratopati 8th May 2025: Foreign employment: Syndicate of manpower professionals in Nepal tries to exclusively send migrant workers to Malaysia (Nepali language) 

Madhyahana Daily 7th May 2025: There Is No Possibility Of Forming A Syndicate In Nepal Malaysian Employment: Nepal Labor Minister Bhandari Statement

SajhaSabal 6th May 2025: Foreign Employment Nepal – Malaysia Employment: Are Recruitment Syndicate Operators in Nepal and Malaysia More Powerful Than the Government? Whose Plan Is This? (Bangladeshi Malaysia like recruitment syndicate fears hit Nepal Malaysia recruitment market) (Nepali Language)

5th May 2025 Daily Star: BAIRA urges govt to reopen Malaysian labour market

5th May 2025 Kalerkantho: Fraud in manpower export to Malaysia – 8 billion taka of workers’ money in Swapan’s pocket

5th May Prothomalo: Bangladesh Memorandum to the Chief Advisor – Demand to open Malaysia’s labor market to all legal agencies

Kalerkantho 1 May, 2025: Swapan-Amin’s luxurious life with workers’ money from Bangladesh/Malaysia migrant worker recruitment scam

Kalerkantho 01 May, 2025: Bangladeshi Workers are living inhumane lives in Bangladesh without getting their money back due to Malaysian recruitment syndicate/scam

30th April 2025 Kalerkantho: Swapan-Amin cycle active again – Fraud in manpower export to Malaysia

5th Nov 2024: Bloomberg – Bangladesh Asks Malaysia to Arrest Businessmen in Migrant Trafficking Case

Important article by PSM/Rani Rasiah 11th Nov 2024 – Extradition call – Justice in sight for migrant worker recruitment fraud victims?

Daily Star 11th Nov 2024: Dhaka, KL must act to end trafficking

FMT 10th Nov 2024: Govt wants Dhaka to clarify extradition request for duo

FMT 7th Nov 2024: Silence not an option, govt told, as Bangladesh seeks duo’s extradition

Free Malaysia Today 6th Nov 2024: Bestinet founder denies misconduct amid report of extradition

CNA 6th Nov 2024: Bangladesh asks Malaysia to arrest and extradite 2 businessmen over alleged migrant worker trafficking and extortion (background article)

6th Nov 2024: Malaysiakini – Amid extradition call, Bestinet founder denies money laundering claim

Malaysiakini 5th Nov 2024: Bangladesh wants M’sia to extradite Bestinet founder, associate

Oct 21st 2024 BBS: Ex-minister Imran Ahmad on 3-day remand in human trafficking case

UCA News 7th Oct 2024: Ending Bangladeshi workers’ Malaysian plight is a test for their leaders

Daily Star 6th Oct 2024: Anwar ibrahim’s visit: A chance to root out graft from labour hiring

SCMP 5th Oct 2024: Malaysia must slash fees, smash cartels to reopen Bangladesh labour market – rights groups

5th Oct 2024: Benar News – Malaysia’s PM Anwar promises Bangladeshi migrant workers will be treated fairly

Reuters Oct 4th 2024: Malaysia PM Anwar Ibrahim to visit Bangladesh, focus on labour issues

Benar News Oct 4th 2024: PM pledges priority for Bangladesh migrant workers who missed out

Daily Star Oct 5th 2024: Diplomacy – Malaysia entry debacle – Anwar Ibrahim to consider issue of Bangladeshi workers

Daily Star Oct 5th 2024: Amending MoU on Malaysia-bound Bangladeshi workers can bring a sea change

Daily Star 5th Oct 2024: 
Labour Export – President seeks support from Malaysia

New Age Oct 5th 2024: Malaysian PM pledges new entry of 18,000 migrant workers from Bangladesh

Background Reading:

20th Sept 2024: Prothmalo – Aminul and Ruhul Amin involved in alleged migrant worker syndicate money ‘laundering’ to Malaysia

20th Sept 2024: Scoop – MACC’s Bestinet probe is ‘NFA’, no proof of other money-laundering claims: Azam Baki

20th Sept 2024: Malaysiakini – Bestinet denies money laundering allegations

Daily Star Sept 7th 2024: Dismantling the recruitment syndicate for Malaysian labour market

FMT 7th July 2024: Use independent experts for migrant system audit, says anti-graft group

6th July 2024: Migration to Malaysia – Money of all workers who failed to depart as part of alleged criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi workers for forced labour in Malaysia to be refunded

MALAYSIAKINI 6th July 2024 C4CENTER COMMENT: Massive migrant labour recruiting issues, cops must probe

NST 6th July 2024: Probe foreign labour recruitment misgovernance highlighted by PAC, govt urged

FMT 6th July 2024: Anti-corruption watchdog demands action over govt-Bestinet deal

Malay Mail 6th July 2024: Home minister says will review PAC criticism over migrant worker system launched without contract

Star 5th July 2024: Mutual termination clause in Bestinet contract puts Putrajaya in ‘challenging position’, says Public Accounts Committee report

4th July 2024 BSS News – Expatriates Minister Shofiqur directs returning money to workers who failed to go to Malaysia

4th July 2024 New Age – Bangladeshi Agencies must refund workers unable to go to Malaysia by July 18: ministry

FMT 4th July 2024: Govt urged to heed PAC’s call on migrant worker system

Star 4th July 2024: Human Resources Ministry to conduct internal audit

Star 4th July 2024: PAC uncovers serious flaws

FMT 3rd July 2024: Decide quickly on direction of migrant worker system in Malaysia, Public Accounts Committee tells govt

Vibes 3rd July 2024: Foreign worker management system operating 6 years without a contract 

3rd July 2024: The Edge – Public Accounts Committee chastises govt for running foreign worker recruitment system for six years without contract

Malaysiakini 3rd July 2024: BESTINET Probe – Public Accounts Committee chief says ‘Datuk Amin’ not among witnesses

3rd July 2024: The Star – Bestinet told Public Accounts Committee unauthorised users were approved by HR Ministry personnel, report shows

FMT 2nd July 2024: Tenaganita letter to Editor – TIP upgrade no cause for celebration just yet

30th June 2024: Somoy News – Bangladeshi High Court orders disclosure of action on Malaysia migrant worker scam (with 500,000+ victims) in 7 days

Malay Mail 25th June 2024: Home minister sees good things for Malaysian businesses after upgrade to US trafficking ranking

The Star 25th June 2024: Malaysia will strive to reach Tier 1 in Trafficking In Persons report, says Saifuddin

Scoop 25th June 2024: Nation’s improved Tier 2 human trafficking ranking ‘dangerously misleading’, says activist

See also MALAYSIAKINI 25th June 2024: M’sia doesn’t deserve Tier 2 in US human trafficking ranking – activist

Daily Star 26th June 2024: Rights activists criticise Malaysia’s improved ranking

See also Benar News 24th June 2024: Malaysia advances in US State Dept’s world rankings for anti-human trafficking efforts

See also FMT 24th June 2024: Malaysia upgraded to Tier 2 in US human trafficking report

See also Benarma 25th June 2024: Malaysia upgraded to Tier 2 in U.S. TIP Report

See also Focus Malaysia 25th June 2024: Migrant workers’ activist – Malaysia doesn’t deserve Tier 2 upgrade in 2024 US human trafficking report

See also 25th June 2024: Home Ministry welcomes country’s Tier 2 upgrade on Trafficking in Persons 2024 report

See also FMT 25th June 2024: Home ministry open to working with NGOs against human trafficking

See also Star 25th June 2024: Malaysia upgraded to Tier 2 in latest Trafficking in Persons report

SCMP 25th June 2024: Malaysia’s upgrade in US human trafficking index decried as ‘disappointing’ amid migrant worker woes

24th June 2024 Exclusive Analysis: CNA – Extension of Malaysia’s controversial migrant labour ecosystem (involving BESTINET) a blow to PM Anwar’s reform agenda 

See New Strait Times 24th June 2024: Malaysian Government Forms Committee to Review Terms of Bestinet’s 3 Year Extension

FMT 24th June 2024: Bestinet contract extended, confirms Saifuddin – ‘Home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail says the Cabinet decided in principle on the extension ‘several weeks ago’.

Malay Mail 24th June 2024: Home Minister – Bestinet keeps foreign worker system contract for three more years, but with stricter terms

Bernama News 24th June 2024: Committee set up to Peruse Terms and Conditions of BESTINET Contract

FMT 24th June 2024: Bestinet to surrender control of workers management system under new deal

FMT 24th June 2024: Bestinet should be phased out eventually, says ex-MP

Malaysianist 18th June 2024: Minting money from a migrant services monopoly (click to subscribe for full article)

9th June 2024 Daily Star – Labour Recruitment from Bangladesh to Malaysia: Syndicate wins, migrants suffer, country loses(excellent summary how bad triumphed, carnage resulted – Bangladesh and Malaysia MUST be downgraded to Tier 3 in the upcoming U.S. TIP report!)

Dhaka Tribune 11th June 2024: Deadline extended for Malaysia migration hurdle complaints

Business Standard 11th June: Unrest within Baira over Malaysian labour market, ruckus in AGM as committee members assaulted 

Observer 9th June 2024: Around 2,900 complaints lodged by deprived Malaysia-bound migrants

Malaysianist 6th June 2024: The fat cat ruling the Malaysian migrant services roost(allegations of systemic corruption involving Malaysia’s migrant worker management systems – click to subscribe)

Business Standard 5th June 2024: Govt to take action over failure in sending workers to Malaysia: PM Hasina

4th June 2024 Daily Star (Op Ed): Break the syndicates, not the dreams of Malaysia-bound workers

SCMP 4th June 2024 – In Malaysia, business and human rights must go hand in hand, UN rights chief says in KL press conference against backdrop of systemic migrant worker abuses

New Straits Times 4th June 2024: Human rights-centric practices essential for foreign investment, says UN

4th June 2024 Business Standard: NHRC orders probe into alleged embezzlement of Tk150cr from Malaysia-bound workers

4th June 2024 Business Standard: 47,809 Bangladeshis flew to Malaysia in May – highest since labour market reopened in 2022

Daily Sun 3rd June: IRREGULARITIES IN MIGRATION TO MALAYSIA – Recruiting agencies never made accountable(good historical summary)

Business Standard 4th June 2024:Dhaka-20, Feni-2 MPs deny allegations of involvement in embezzling money from Malaysia-bound workers

SCMP 3rd June 2024: ‘Nothing left for me’ as thousands of Bangladeshi workers lose everything in failed bid to work in Malaysia

Daily Star Editorial 3rd June 2024: Must our migrants pay the price every time?

Prothomalo 3rd June 2024 – Bangladesh Labour market: Hapless workers lose all vying to go to Malaysia

Daily Sun 3rd June 2024: IRREGULARITIES IN MIGRATION TO MALAYSIA: Recruiting agencies never made accountable

FMT 3rd June 2024: 17,000 Bangladeshi workers stranded, Dhaka pleads for time

Daily Star 3rd June 2024: 16,970 Bangladeshis failed to reach Malaysia for mismanagement, more destitution and modern slavery will result

Daily Star 3rd June 2024 – Bangladeshi Migrant Worker Exploitation and Malaysian Labour Market Alleged Criminal Syndicate: The agencies picked by KL to blame, Bangladesh tells UN OHCHR

Daily Star 2nd June 2024: Controversial recruitment system to stay 3 more years

Daily Star 2nd June – Jobs in Malaysia: Mismanagement left over 3k workers with no ticket to KL

Daily Star 1st June 2024: Must history repeat itself with the Malaysian labour market’s alleged criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi migrant workers for forced labour

MALAYSIAKINI June 1st 2024: Controversial worker management system BESTINET gets new lease, sources say

1st June 2024 Kalerkantho: Malaysia’s dream ends in deprivation for Bangladeshi migrant workers of criminal syndicate

FMT 31st May 2024: Expect Bangladeshi workers to be stranded and at high risk of modern slavery following Malaysian migration management deadline rush, warns activist

SCMP 31st May 2024: Malaysians shocked by thousands of Bangladeshis crowding at airport to beat deadline for legal work, as UN and activists warn of increased modern slavery risks

CNA 31st May 2024: Over 30,000 workers set to miss deadline to enter Malaysia even as officials clear backlog at KL airport

Prothomalo 31 May 2024 – Bangladesh – Malaysia’s labour market: Repeated syndicates, repeated closure

Prothomalo 31st May 2024: Bangladesh – Thousands of people crowded Dhaka airport without flight tickets to go to Malaysia

31st May 2024 FMT: Govt reaffirms commitment to protect migrant workers’ rights to UN

31st May 2024: The closure of the labor market in Malaysia has shattered the dreams of 31,000 workers

Daily Star 31 May 2024 – Recruitment in Malaysia: Syndicate siphons over $1b out of Bangladesh

Daily Sun 31st May 2024: Biman sends 2,000 migrant workers to Malaysia

Business Standard 31st May 2024: Malaysia-bound workers scammed, stranded at Dhaka airport as deadline set to expire today

Daily Star 30th May 2024: Manpower syndicates beyond Dhaka-KL control

30th May 2024: Comment by Andy Hall, independent migrant worker rights specialist, on ongoing migrant worker management crisis in Malaysia and at KLIA airport today, Bangladeshi workers at high risk of modern slavery

CNA 30th May 2024: ‘Congestion’ at KL airport as employers scramble to bring in thousands of migrant workers before deadline

MALAYSIAKINI 30th May 2023: ‘Migrants influx at KLIA due to employers chasing deadline’

30th May 2024 Benar News: Malaysia’s labor market closed – Migrant workers flock to airports in all countries

29th May Daily Star: Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia – Hiring begins with bribery (UN independent experts say Bangladeshi workers pay up to 8 times for migration alone due to corruption of Malaysia ministries, Bangladesh mission and syndicates)

29th May Daily Star: Airfare to Malaysia surges fivefold

FMT 28th May 2024: Malaysia yet to respond to UN concerns on alleged criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi migrant victims for forced labour in the country(with my full statement included)

For Immediate Release 27th May 2024: Statement by Andy Hall, Independent Migrant Worker Rights Specialist, on today’s public release of UN OHCHR’s unanswered urgent appeal communications to the Malaysian and Bangladeshi Governments 

30th May Star: Cyclone smashes Bangladeshi workers’ hopes, extension requested

Channel News Asia 25th May 2024: Malaysia’s bid to revamp hiring of foreign workers through controversial BESTINET process faces pushback; activists say country’s reputation at stake

22nd May 2024: UN expert – Malaysian law enforcement mixing up human trafficking, migrant smuggling – “What steps has Malaysia taken to investigate alleged complicity of public officials in human trafficking?’’

20th May 2024 FMT: Duped Bangladeshi workers won’t impact Malaysia’s US Human trafficking report ranking, says HR Minister Sim

Malay Mail 17th May 2024: Pengerang employer to face Labour Court in Malaysia after failing for months to pay Bangladeshi workers’ wages over RM1m (government statements and my comments included – months on, court agreed mediation settlement unforced, workers allegedly remain in situation akin to acute modern slavery)

16th May 2024: Firm that left over 700 Bangladeshi workers to dry in Pengerang facing possible prosecution (months on, court agreed mediation settlement unforced, workers allegedly remain in situation akin to acute modern slavery)

14th May 2024: FMT – Activists warn of US trafficking report downgrade for Malaysia amid UN criticism

May 10th 2024 The Star: Malaysian Government responds to OHCHR, IOM, ILO and UNODC joint condemnation on alleged Bangaldeshi migrant worker criminal syndicate by pledging to set up special unit handling migrant workers’ grievances, says HR Minister Sim

9th May 2024: Study: 96% of Bangladeshi workers going to Malaysia fall into recruitment debt– The study also said that 82% had two or more loans and 73% of workers spent at least 50% to 100% of their monthly salary to repay recruitment debts

4th May 2024: UN agencies concerned over Bangladeshi workers stranded in Malaysia – Joint Statement of ILO, IOM and UNODC on Alleged Criminal Syndicate Trafficking Bangladeshi Workers for Forced Labour in Malaysia

24th April 2024: Address plight of duped Bangladeshi migrant workers in Malaysia in response to UN warning, govt told (more on the ongoing saga of an alleged criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi migrant workers for forced labour in Malaysia)

19th April 2024: UN (OHCHR) Statement on Alleged Criminal Syndicate Trafficking Bangladeshi Workers for Forced Labour in Malaysia – ‘Malaysia: Bangladeshi workers must be protected from exploitation and criminalisation, say UN experts’

FMT 19th April 2024: UN experts sound alarm over plight of duped Bangladeshi migrants in Malaysia

For more on Andy Hall’s complaint to the OHCHR see 30th Oct 2023: FMT: Andy Hall refers stranded Bangladeshi workers’ plight in Malaysia to UN Human Rights Council

See Daily Star 23rd Apr 2024: Bangladesh Plight of Migrant Workers – Bangladesh, Malaysia working group meeting likely in May

See Daily Star Editorial 23rd Apr 2024: When even legal migrants suffer – Workers migrating to Malaysia legally deserve better protection 

Business Standard 23rd April 2024: Expat Ministry reviews UN complaints on Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia

Prothomalo 23rd April 2024: Bangladesh – Ministry reviewing allegations over Malaysia labour market

BenarNews Malay Language: Pakar PBB gesa Malaysia tangani layanan buruk diterima pekerja Bangladesh (UN expert urges Malaysia to handle bad treatment received by Bangladeshi workers)

Daily Star 19th Apr 2024: UN experts express dismay over situation of Bangladeshi migrants in Malaysia

FMT 19th Apr 2024: PSM, news portal set aside order to stop debate on migrant workers’ plight

Daily Star Editorial 17th April 2024: Save our migrants in Malaysia (more on the crisis caused by an alleged criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi workers for forced labour in Malaysia)

9th April 2024 The Star – Bangladeshi victims of criminal syndicate trafficking worked for forced labour in Malaysia: ‘Cops after workers, not rogue employers’

7th April 2024: SCMP – As Malaysia’s door closes on low-paid migrant workers, companies scramble for staff (and a systemically corrupt migration management and recruitment policy, devoid of the rule of law and leading to impunity and gross exploitation, is revealed)

6th April 2024 Daily Star: A hostel of nightmares for Bangladeshi migrants allegedly trafficked by criminal syndicate for forced labour in Malaysia (and Daily Star Op Ed)

Daily Star Editorial 6th Apr 2024: What will happen to migrants abandoned in Malaysia?

26th March 2024: The Star – Freeze on foreign workers hiring quota in Malaysia stays for now, says HR Minister (with estimated 200,000+ surplus foreign workforce victims facing destitution and abuse)

25th March 2024: Bangladeshi workers (alleged victims of criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi workers for forced labour in Malaysia) claim being coerced into withdrawing police and labour complaints

Daily Star 25th Mar: Malaysia employer framed Bangladeshi workers

Daily Star 24th Mar 2024: Jailed in Malaysia – 3 Bangladesh workers released

Editorial Prothomalo 24th Mar 2024: Malaysian labour market – Take action against the fraud syndicate

FMT 23rd March 2024: PSM calls on Sim to look into arrest of Bangladeshi workers

MALAYSIAKINI 23 Mar 2024: Stranded foreign workers (alleged victims of criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi workers for forced labour in Malaysia) nabbed after labour complaints against employer

23rd March 2024 The Star: Half a million vulnerable and irregular foreign workers disappear from Malaysia’s migrant worker regularization programme as deadline looms in one week

23 Mar 2024 The Star: Verification rate lags as RTK 2.0 deadline approaches

22nd March 2024 Malay Mail: Home minister – Over RM9m in fines collected so far through migrant repatriation programme

22nd March 2024 Protomalo: Malaysian labour market set to be closed again due to syndication

20th March 2024: 93 duped/detained Bangladeshi migrant workers in Malaysia have jobs now, says immigration DG

20th Mar 2024 Business Standard: Bangladeshi workers’ plight in Malaysia: Coalition of migration orgs demand action against recruiting agency syndicate

19th March 2024: FMT – Plantation firms wary of ‘forced labour’ concerns in hiring 200,000 surplus foreign workers/criminal syndicate victims in Malaysia, says minister – indeed he’s right, who wants to take on destitute foreign workers often with US$4-7000 in debt?

17th March 2024: FMT – Malaysia’s treatment of migrant workers utterly shameful

New Age 16th Mar 2024: Bangladeshi government must mend issues to keep Malaysia job market open

15th March 2024 SCMP: Malaysians deride minister’s idea to rebrand palm oil workers as ‘specialised harvesters’

14th March 2024: The Star – Opinion: When work in Malaysia is a con – the criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshis for forced labour in Malaysia

FMT 13th March 2024: Bangladeshi migrants file police reports after falling victim to job scam/criminal syndicate trafficking workers from Bangladesh for forced labour in Malaysia

12th March 2024: SCMP – Malaysia to slash migrant workforce amid intolerance, job scam crisis involving Bangladeshi labourers

FMT 11th Mar 2024: Duped migrant jobseekers, victims of alleged criminal syndicate trafficking Bangaldeshi workers to Malaysia for forced labour, face mental health issues, says Malaysian ex-MP

Daily Star Editorial 10th March 2024: Migrating to a life of unemployment

Daily Star 10th Mar 2024: Distressed in Malaysia – Thousands of Bangladeshi migrants jobless, unpaid or underpaid 

9th March 2024: Malay Mail – Activists warn rushed 31st March visa deadline in Malaysia could force firms to source foreign workers unethically (includes my commentary on the abrupt policy change)

9th Mar 2024 The Star: No extension of May 31 foreign worker deadline

NST 9th Mar 2024: Keep recruitment agencies in a list rather than shutting them down, govt told   

See also NST 9th Mar 2024: Sourcing migrant workers takes time, ‘not like buying cattle’, employer groups tell govt

NST 8th Mar 2024: Eliminate middlemen from migrant worker recruitment process, govt told

Star 8th Mar 2024: May 31 deadline for foreign workers recruitment under recalibration programme remains, says Saifuddin

Malay Mail 8th Mar 2024: Saifuddin Nasution: No more agents for Bangladeshi worker recruitment

6th Mar 2024: Malaysian government halts foreign worker entry into the country from 31st May 2024 (final calling visa/VDN approval issuance deadline 31st March 2024) as migrant worker management crisis worsens and victims of gross exploitation, unemployment and destitution rise significantly

6th March 2024: Business Times –Sudden change in foreign worker policy by Malaysian government leaves industry in limbo

6th Mar 2024 Edge: Foreign worker intake deadline changes will leave manufacturers in the lurch, says FMM

6th Mar 2024 FMT: Industry players shocked by foreign worker policy change, says FMM

Mar 5 2024: NCCIM urges govt to review unused foreign worker quota deadline

4th March 2024 URGENT call for donations/support: joining forces with HOPE SELANGOR to fill gap in providing humanitarian aid and assistance to victims of criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi workers into forced labour in Malaysia

Mar 3rd 2024: Concern on repatriation of potential trafficking and forced labour/abuse victims under Malaysian Migrant Worker Repatriation Programme Commencing 1st March 2024 (Statement by Andy Hall, Independent Migrant Worker Rights Specialist)

FMT 3rd Mar 2024: Ensure ‘crooks’ do not gain from repatriation programme, says activist

Mar 2nd 2024 The Star: A chance for illegals to go home

Mar 2nd 2024 The Star: Sarawak immigration extends RTK2.0 until June

Mar 1st 2024 FMT: 600,000 foreign workers urged to take easy exit home

Mar 1st 2024 The Star: Use repatriation programme to return home, 600,000 illegals told

Feb 28th 2024 The Star: New programme lets migrants off the hook without being prosecuted

Feb 25th 2024 The Star: Businesses want foreign worker hiring freeze lifted

Jan 31st 2024 NST: Govt to implement Migrant Repatriation Programme starting March

Jan 31st 2024 The Edge: Cabinet agrees to extend freeze on hiring of foreign workers, says home minister 

31st Jan 2024 FMT: Migrant repatriation programme set for March 1

31st Jan 2024 The Star: Migration Repatriation Programme to commence on March 1, says Home Ministry

FMT 6th Jan 2024: 171 duped migrant workers deserve compensation, govt told (includes my full statement)

5th Jan 2024: New Strait Times – MCA: Don’t just fine employers, hold ministry accountable as well for unemployed foreign workers

FMT 30th Dec 2023: Migrants being duped into Malaysia because of govt’s failure to curb criminal trafficking syndicates and organised crime network, says activist Andy Hall

30th Dec 2023: New Strait Times – Recruitment agencies accused of deception as Bangladeshi victims speak out on exploitation and fear

29th Dec 2023: Malay Mail – Set up probe on exploitation of migrant workers and new ministry to manage their affairs, Suhakam tells Putrajaya

28th Dec 2023: FMT – Malaysia has entered ‘slave labour’ territory, says ex-MP – Charles Santiago calls for specific set-ups to manage migrant workers 

27th Dec 2023: New Strait Times – MTUC demand govt, MACC probe into corrupt recruitment practices of foreign workers

26th Dec 2023: FMT – High recruitment fees make greedy agents bring in workers, says group

25th Dec 2023: FMT – Probe recruitment agents, MACC told after arrest of Bangladeshis

22nd Nov 2023: MALAYSIAKINI – Full probe of migrant worker syndicate, Malaysian HR Minister Sivakumar says

9th Nov 2023: Malaysia – The State of the Nation: Flaws of foreign worker system laid bare in declassified report

30th Oct 2023: FMT: Andy Hall refers stranded Bangladeshi workers’ plight in Malaysia to UN Human Rights Council

23rd Oct 2023: RESPONSE FROM THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCES IN REGARDS TO AN ARTICLE BY MR. ANDY HALL/HR Minister – strict actions against employers who fail to comply with Malaysia’s labour and immigration laws

20th Oct 2023 Malaysiakini: Long-awaited foreign worker management report declassified in Malaysia (my comments added)

19th Oct 2023: Malaysia facing huge excess of 1/4 million migrant laborers

21st Sep 2023: Malaysian government has 15 source countries for foreign workers – Comments by Andy Hall

20th Sep 2023: Rate of abused Bangladeshi workers’ entry into Malaysia worrying, says migrant rights activist Andy Hall

12th July 2023: excellent final offering from a 4 part account of atypical modern-day slavery, forced labour and abuse perpetrated against a group of migrant workers from Bangladesh in Malaysia, written concisely and passionately by former MP from Malaysia Charles Santiago

Aljazeera News TV 10th July 2023 – Migrants in Malaysia: Hundreds left stranded in recruitment scam

The post FMT 24th Sept 2025 My Op Ed – Japanese accountability, Malaysian impunity: the Kawaguchi saga appeared first on Andy Hall.

Panasonic, rights group reach settlement over 250 ‘unpaid’ foreign workers

The Kawaguchi workers in Malaysia, who were formerly employed by a supplier of components to Panasonic, are expected to receive compensation and reimbursement of recruitment fees.

Sourced from: FMT – 20th September 2025

More than 250 Bangladesh workers who reportedly were not paid for seven months last year are to receive a significant amount in settlement of their dispute with their former employer.

The settlement was reached by the Japanese multinational Panasonic and the watchdog group International Rights Advocates (IRAdvocates) which took up the workers case.

The foreign workers were formerly employed by Kawaguchi Manufacturing Sdn Bhd, a supplier of components to Panasonic.

The amount of the settlement was not disclosed, but FMT was made to understand that it was a significant sum.

Migrant labour rights activist Andy Hall, who referred the Kawaguchi case to IRAdvocates late last year, said he was pleased that there had been some level of accountability in the matter.

“I am relieved that the workers debt has finally been fully removed, they have been compensated for the salaries that Kawaguchi didn’t pay and they have been provided a substantial amount of additional compensation for their suffering,” he said.

Terrence Collingsworth, founder and executive director of IRAdvocates, said Panasonic provided the workers with “much-needed financial assistance” through reimbursement of recruitment fees which the workers said they had paid.

Collingsworth said Panasonic was also monitoring whether Kawaguchi is fulfilling the payment of unpaid salaries promised to the workers. He commended Panasonic for conducting audits and taking corrective measures after allegations of wrongful labour practices at Kawaguchi.

Three months ago, Collingsworth had also praised Sony, another Japanese firm, for providing monetary aid to Bangladeshi workers.

Kawaguchi had reportedly agreed in December 2024 to pay over RM3 million in overdue salaries to their foreign workers, with the labour office in Putrajaya agreeing to arrange for the workers to be employed by other companies.

The company reached the decision five days after the workers held a peaceful protest outside the factory in Port Klang to demand the salaries owed to them.

However, the workers alleged that the company paid only the first instalment of RM250,000 and then defaulted on the remaining amount.

In December, air-conditioner manufacturer Daikin was reported to have contributed US$12,000 in emergency food and medical aid and an additional amount of financial aid to each worker.

Daikin, Panasonic and Sony jointly through the Responsible Business Alliance were also reported to have provided RM20,000 as reimbursement of recruitment fee for each worker.

FMT 24th July 2025: Kawaguchi company facing criminal charges in Malaysia over unpaid Bangladeshi worker wages in high-profile Japanese consumer goods modern slavery case, says source

Kawaguchi facing charges over unpaid worker wages, says source

A law firm representing the affected workers says the charges relate to the company’s purported failure to comply with a labour court’s orders in high profile Japanese consumer goods. The labour department has filed charges against plastic component supplier Kawaguchi Manufacturing Sdn Bhd — now known as Alpha Integral Sdn Bhd — over its alleged failure to pay outstanding wages to 249 former employees, a source said.

Sourced from: FMT by FMT Reporters – July 17th 2025

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the source said the case was called up in court on July 16 but was postponed as the department’s officers were unable to serve the summons on the company or its director.

“As a result the court fixed a new date in September to allow the prosecution time to serve the summons,” the source said.

Louis Liaw Chambers, the law firm representing the affected workers, told FMT the charges relate to the company’s purported failure to comply with orders issued by a labour court.

Kawaguchi Manufacturing had in December last year agreed to pay the workers their salary arrears in nine instalments, beginning January 15, with the rest due monthly from April 2025 until November 2025.

The agreements were reached after the former workers staged a peaceful protest at the company’s factory in Port Klang. They agreements were recorded in orders issued by the labour court.

The company made the first payment, but is alleged to have missed payments due in April, May, June and July.

Last Friday, it was reported that the workers’ lawyers had issued the company with a letter of demand giving it until July 21 to settle all overdue payments or risk further legal action.

Kawaguchi Manufacturing is understood not to have responded to the letter or met any of the outstanding payments.

Separately, independent migrant worker rights activist Andy Hall said the labour department’s decision to take Kawaguchi Manufacturing to court was “timely and appropriate”.

“Accountability is essential and deeply personal for the exploited workers in this case,” he said when contacted.

However, Hall expressed concern that victims of “modern slavery” are still required to fund their own legal representation.

17th July 2025 FMT: Kawaguchi in Malaysia served letter of demand over close to RM3mil in unpaid wages to modern slavery victims 

Kawaguchi served letter of demand over close to RM3mil in unpaid wages

Lawyers for 249 former workers of the plastic component supplier warn of court action if overdue payments are not settled by July 21.

Workers of plastic component supplier Kawaguchi Manufacturing protesting at the company’s factory in Port Klang in December last year.

Sourced from: FMT – 17th July 2025

A plastic component supplier has been served a letter of demand over nearly RM3 million in unpaid wages allegedly owed to 249 former workers.

Lawyers from Louis Liaw Chambers said Kawaguchi Manufacturing Sdn Bhd, now known as Alpha Integral Sdn Bhd, failed to comply with labour court-sanctioned settlements signed in December 2024.

The agreement was reached after the former workers staged a peaceful protest at the company’s factory in Port Klang.

Under the agreement, the company was supposed to pay the workers in nine instalments, starting on Jan 15, with the rest due monthly until November 2025.

The company made the first payment but missed four payments due in April, May, June and July, the lawyers alleged.

“In particular, you have failed, refused, and/or neglected to pay our clients the required instalment payments that were due on April 15, May 15, June 15 and July 15, as per the settlement agreement and labour court order,” read the letter sighted by FMT.

The company has until July 21 to settle the overdue payments, failing which the lawyers said they may pursue legal options, including converting the labour court awards into court judgments, enforcement actions such as winding-up proceedings, and imposing interest charges of 8% annually.

The lawyers also warned that the company’s directors and managers could face personal fines under the Employment Act for failing to comply with the labour court’s order.

They added that changing the company’s name from Kawaguchi to Alpha Integral does not remove its legal obligations.

Alpha Integral did not immediately respond to FMT’s request for comment.

FMT 16th June 2025: Multinational corporation SONY comes to aid of Bangladeshi former Kawaguchi workers in modern slavery case in Malaysia

A Japanese multinational corporation has provided monetary aid to some 283 Bangladeshi workers who had reportedly gone without pay for seven months last year under a different company, an international human rights group said.

Original Source: FMT Reporters – 16th June 2025

Sony took “meaningful and proactive steps to assist the workers, including providing much-needed financial assistance”, International Rights Advocates (IRAdvocates) said.

However, it did not disclose the amount.

“IRAdvocates applauds Sony for taking a constructive approach towards this situation and is grateful to Sony for its cooperation,” the group’s founder and executive director, Terrence Collingsworth, said in a statement.

Collingsworth said that when issues concerning the migrant workers first surfaced, IRAdvocates raised the matter with their previous employer, Kawaguchi Nanufacturing Sdn Bhd, and certain manufacturers who were Kawaguchi’s downstream customers.

One such manufacturer was Sony, he said.  

To its credit, Sony raised its concerns with Kawaguchi and requested that the company promptly implement corrective measures after the allegations emerged, he said.

He said Sony also stopped doing business with Kawaguchi.

Collingsworth said the Kawaguchi case is a powerful reminder that change is possible when corporations genuinely embrace accountability and collaboration.

“IRAdvocates applaud Sony’s constructive action, highlighting a path forward where companies uphold human rights sincerely, beyond mere words and empty promises,” he said.

On Dec 18, it was reported that Kawaguchi had agreed to pay its foreign employees their overdue salaries, with the Putrajaya labour office agreeing to arrange for them to be employed by other companies.

The company reached the decision five days after the workers held a peaceful protest outside the factory in Port Klang to demand the salaries owed to them.

Separately, migrant labour rights activist Andy Hall, who referred the case to Collingsworth late last year, said Sony should be applauded for emulating Daikin Industries Ltd.

In December, it was reported that Daikin, the world’s largest air-conditioner manufacturer, contributed US$12,000 to the affected foreign workers in emergency food and medical aid. It also provided an additional amount of financial aid to each worker.

“The money Sony has provided is significant and will provide yet more respite for these victims of modern slavery, who remain in severe situations of debt bondage,” Hall told FMT.

—

International Rights Associates (IRA/Terence Collingsworth) full public statement on Sony settlement for immediate release on 16/6/2025 – When Multinationals Choose Collaboration over Conflict.pdfDownload

Associated Press 21st May 2025: Migrant workers in Malaysia seek unpaid wages from Kawaguchi, a supplier to Japanese companies Panasonic, Sony, Daikin, Hisense and others

HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — Around 280 Bangladeshi migrant workers in Malaysia are demanding hundreds of thousands of dollars in back wages and other money owed to them after their former employer, a plastic parts supplier to big Japanese companies, closed down. Kawaguchi workers protest 

Original Source: AP News by ANIRUDDHA GHOSAL – May 21, 2025

(Full video on site) 

The workers at Kawaguchi Manufacturing’s factory in Port Klang, Malaysia’s largest port city, were left stranded when the company withheld their wages for up to eight months before shutting down late last year. The workers have filed complaints in Malaysia and back home in Bangladesh. A motorcyclist rides past a Kawaguchi Manufacturing factory in Klang, Malaysia, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Azneal Ishak)

Such disputes have become a diplomatic sore point between Bangladesh and Malaysia, drawing scrutiny on a small but powerful group of recruitment agencies and middlemen who monopolize such jobs. Bangladeshi workers from Kawaguchi company protest in front of the closed factory in late December 2024

Asif Nazrul, an adviser to Bangladesh’s expatriate welfare ministry, met with Malaysia’s Home Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong in Kuala Lumpur last week. Officials were due to meet again Wednesday in Dhaka, the Bangladesh capital. 

The interim government that took over in Bangladesh after the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has placed a higher priority on the plight of migrant workers who often get trapped in debt after paying exorbitant recruitment fees to work in dismal conditions for little pay. Bangladeshi migrant workers eat a meal at their dormitory in Klang, Malaysia, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Azneal Ishak).A Bangladeshi migrant worker takes a shower at his dormitory in Klang, Malaysia, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Azneal Ishak).A Bangladeshi migrant worker rests on a dormitory bed in Klang, Malaysia, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Azneal Ishak)

Labor advocates say the situation is worsening as more people from across South Asia, sometimes losing their livelihoods due to climate change, seek work in Southeast Asia.

Trade tensions between the U.S. and China have accelerated that trend as factories move from China to places in Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and elsewhere.

Workers allege abuse

The workers have received just 251,000 ringgit ($58,101) of the more than 3 million ringgit ($694,444) in back wages that a Malaysian labor tribunal ordered Kawaguchi to pay. Many have found new jobs but still have heavy debts after borrowing money to pay hefty recruitment fees.

The workers allege they were sometimes required to work without breaks for 24-hour shifts and on holidays with no paid overtime, making plastic casings for televisions and air conditioners. They say Kawaguchi confiscated their passports, provided inadequate housing and delayed their visa renewals.

The factory shut down in December, soon after Sony Group and Panasonic Holdings Corp., two of Kawaguchi’s main customers, halted their orders in response to the allegations against their supplier.A bicycle passes in front of a Kawaguchi Manufacturing factory in Klang, Malaysia, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Azneal Ishak)Read More

After the factory closed, the workers say Malaysian officials forcibly sent many of them to another city some 360 kilometers (220 miles) away to toil in new factory jobs without giving them any information. They were kept in filthy shipping containers converted into dormitories. Another 80 workers were told to work in palm oil plantations — but refused. 

Most made their way back to Port Klang to seek work and chip away at the debts that have been accumulating. It took nearly three months for them to get permission from the Malaysian government to switch jobs.

The Associated Press got no response to multiple requests to Kawaguchi for comment. Malaysia’s labor department also didn’t respond to requests for comment.

Md Kabir Hossain’s case is typical. The 19-year-old said he borrowed more than $4,000 to get to Malaysia from his hometown Rangpur in Bangladesh in November 2023, after his family’s textile shop began to fail. The family’s sole wage earner, he defaulted on one of his loans and wasn’t able to send money back home, as his family struggled to keep their shop going.

“I am constantly worried about what will happen to my family,” he said.

Another worker, Parvez Azam said he didn’t know how much longer he could keep going. “If this goes on, we’ll die here,” he said.

Wider trends across developing Asia

A uniform used by a migrant worker at Kawaguchi Manufacturing is seen hanging in a dormitory in Klang, Malaysia, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Azneal Ishak)

Factories in Malaysia and other countries in Southeast Asia rely on migrant workers, often from Bangladesh, Myanmar and Nepal, to fill labor-intensive jobs in manufacturing, plantations, or construction that local workers won’t perform for the wages offered. 

The cost of recruitment and migration from Bangladesh to Malaysia is among the most expensive in the world, according to the International Labor Organization’s office in Bangladesh.A Bangladeshi migrant worker watches Bangladeshi news on his phoneat a dormitory in Klang, Malaysia, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Azneal Ishak).

The official recruitment fee is about $650 per worker. But all the workers at Kawaguchi said they paid nearly $5,000. The loans they took to pay such sums has pushed them into debt bondage as they labor to pay off ever mounting debts.

In 2023, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia should end use of recruitment agents, describing the system as “modern slavery.” But a 2024 study of Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia found that more than 70% had spent at least half of their wages to pay off recruitment debts. Most have at least two loans and many said they were misled about their wages.

Nearly everyone who migrates overseas from Bangladesh, one of the countries most affected by climate change, has suffered at least one form of modern slavery, like withholding of wages or physical violence, according to a study by the London-based think tank International Institute for Environment and Development. 

Mohamad Mohosin, 38, said he moved to Malaysia when his crops failed because of extreme weather. After going months without being paid his debt has spiraled, forcing his large family in Bangladesh to borrow still more money. “My family is in trouble,” he said.Bangladeshi migrant worker Mohamad Mohosin, 38, speaks during an interview with the Associated Press at a dormitory in Klang, Malaysia, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Azneal Ishak)

Among migrant workers, Bangladeshis often end up in the riskiest jobs, such as plantation work where they can catch mosquito-borne diseases, or physically demanding factory or construction roles, where the likelihood of accidents is higher, said Shariful Islam Hasan of BRAC.

“Despite the high risk and the high migration cost, salaries are too low,” he said.

Seeking help from Japan

Panasonic, Sony and Daikin, three of Kawaguchi’s former main customers among about a dozen, agreed to cover an estimated $1.3 million of the recruitment costs paid by the workers. It’s unclear how much each company is contributing.

“This doesn’t cover all the workers’ costs, including interest rates of up to 30% they must pay on their loans,” said Andy Hall, a British labor activist who has been helping the workers. Many have also defaulted on their debts after going months without wages. 

“They’re absolutely desperate and they’re at very high risk of falling into even worse situations,” Hall said.Bangladeshi migrant workers play cards in a dormitory in Klang, Malaysia, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Azneal Ishak).

Daikin settled with the workers, agreeing to pay them more, although it says it accounted for only 1% to 2% of Kawaguchi’s orders. The air conditioner manufacturer told AP it was working with human rights groups to resolve any remaining issues. 

Panasonic said it was “proportionally reimbursing the recruitment fees” paid by workers and had asked Kawaguchi to correct labor violations. It said it tried to support Kawaguchi but had to disengage from the company due to its financial woes and anticipated production problems.

Sony told AP its code of conduct prohibits abusive labor practices in its supply chain. After investigating, it demanded corrective measures. “When our demands were not satisfied, we terminated our relationship with this supplier,” it said.

The workers are seeking more help and lawyer Terry Collingsworth of U.S.-based International Rights Advocates, who is representing them, said that they were in discussions with Sony and Panasonic.

“We are not asking you to admit liability. We are asking you to comply with your public commitment to remediate when one of your suppliers violates the human rights of its workers,” said a Jan. 16 letter from Collingsworth to Sony and Panasonic.Kawaguchi workers protests in December 20

*International Trade Today January 15, 2025 Vol. 41, No. 10: Foreign Workers to Sue Sony and Panasonic Over Forced Labor *

Foreign workers from Bangladesh are preparing to sue Sony and Panasonic in U.S. court over forced labor conditions at their former employer in Malaysia, Kawaguchi Manufacturing, a plastics supplier for the two companies.

The workers are alleging “exploitation, mistreatment, and non-payment of wages,” migrant worker rights activist Andy Hall said in a blog post.

Additionally, he alleges that the workers were forced to pay recruitment fees and had their passports taken away by the company.

Hall already has submitted a trade violation complaint with CBP.

The companies, which confirmed the allegations of forced labor at Kawaguchi in December (see 2412060061), offered to pay the workers $4,400 each, which would not be enough to cover the recruitment fees.

“A number of workers are still in significant debt and at risk of debt bondage,” Hall said.

The lawyer representing the workers, Terrence Collingsworth of International Rights Advocates, said that he is “frankly disgusted” by the companies’ lack of responsiveness, but that he is sending a third letter this week to try to settle the matter out of court, not having received replies to his first two letters.

“There’s no question that we will file a case [in court] if they don’t wish to be more constructive,” Collingsworth said.

Collingsworth also is appealing a decision by the Court of International Trade that his organization doesn’t have standing to challenge CBP’s inaction in responding to a petition to ban cocoa from Cote d’Ivoire (see 2408160009 and 2408080049).

“The companies were hoping to just pay the recruitment fees. But they worked under forced labor conditions, they were trafficked and are owed compensation,” Collingsworth said.

“My interest is getting the workers a reasonable amount of money in addition to the [$4,400] so they can move on.”

—See ABC’s full story at https://www.instagram.com/reel/DD6WXQjJxj5/?igsh=amVwdDFmOTU4NWk5 

ABC News: Over 200 migrant workers at a plastics factory in Malaysia that supplies to Sony and Panasonic haven’t been paid for over six months

Forced overtime, withheld passports and dirty living conditions are other abuses that have been raised to the Japanese electronics giants.

After investigating the abuses they are severing ties with the company. But activists say
“cutting and running” leaves workers in a more precarious position.

See ABC’s full story at https://www.instagram.com/reel/DD6WXQjJxj5/?igsh=amVwdDFmOTU4NWk5 and https://amp.abc.net.au/article/104705876

OECD COMPLAINT FILED

Employees of Kawaguchi Manufacturing vs. Kawaguchi Manufacturing, Sony and Panasonic

Labour rights violations at supplier to Sony and Panasonic

Source: https://www.oecdwatch.org/complaint/employees-of-kawaguchi-manufacturing-vs-kawaguchi-manufacturing-sony-and-panasonic
Date filed: 27 December 2024

• Due diligence,
• Forced labour,
• Human rights,
• Supply chain

Countries of harm

• Malaysia

Current status

FiledSector

• Manufacturing

NCP

• NCP Japan

Allegations

On 27 December 2024, 251 workers of Kawaguchi Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd. (“Kawaguchi Manufacturing”), represented by lawyers, filed a complaint against Kawaguchi Manufacturing, Sony Corporation (“Sony”) and Panasonic Corporation (“Panasonic”) at the Japanese NCP. The complaint concerns alleged labour rights violations at Kawaguchi Manufacturing in Malaysia and their links to Sony and Panasonic.

The complainants allege that workers at Kawaguchi Manufacturing have experienced violations indicative of forced labour, including non-payment of wages, confiscation of passports, intimation and charging of high recruitment fees, among other labour rights violations. They allege that Sony and Panasonic, who sourced from Kawaguchi Manufacturing, failed to adequately engage with the workers and provide for remediation. They allege that Sony and Panasonic discontinued their business with Kawaguchi Manufacturing instead, which drove Kawaguchi Manufacturing to cease operations.

The complainants are seeking repayment of unpaid wages and recruitment fees and compensation for mental damage.

More details

Defendant

• Kawaguchi Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd.

Company in violation

• Kawaguchi Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd.

Other companies involved

• Sony Corporation
• Panasonic Corporation

Complainants

• Employees of Kawaguchi Manufacturing

Affected people

• Workers

Documents

• 27 December 2024 Complaint filed to Japan NCP Complainants

Updated FULL Kawaguchi Case Report (Jan 2025)Download

Additional Background Readingon Kawaguchi:

FMT 23rd Feb 2025: Two-thirds of Malaysia’s ex-Kawaguchi company employees have found new jobs but remain in situation of acute modern slavery, activist reveals

22nd Jan 2025: Industriall – Forced labour allegations at Kawaguchi, Malaysia

FMT 7th Jan 2025: Kawaguchi foreign workers in Malaysia preparing to sue 2 prominent Japanese companies, Sony and Panasonic, in U.S. courts

FMT 31st Dec 2024: Kawaguchi workers ‘forced’ to relocate, claims activist (Sony, Panasonic and Daikin Malaysian supplier case) 

26th December 2024: FMT – Penniless and unemployed, Kawaguchi’s foreign workers in Malaysia hoping to secure jobs before Ramadan (Sony, Panasonic & Daikin supplier case)

FMT 22nd Dec 2024: Resolve migrant worker pay issues to avoid economic jeopardy, says ex-MP

20th December 2024: FMT – Air-con giant Daikin comes to rescue of unpaid modern slavery victims and foreign Kawaguchi workers (Kawaguchi supplies Sony, Panasonic and Daikin – Daikin smallest buyer) 

20th December 2024 – “Seven months of unpaid wages: ‘When will I be free?’” Malaysia: Report on Kawaguchi (Sony, Panasonic, Daikin and Hisense/Sanden supplier) released by PARC 

Malay Mail 19th Dec 2024: Malaysian Labour Dept to assist Kawaguchi workers securing new jobs, firm agrees to settle over RM3m backdated pay in agreement described as ‘offensive,’ global buyers Sony, Panasonic and Daikin remain silent

FMT 18th Dec 2024: Kawaguchi to pay foreign workers’ owed salary in Malaysia after negotiations – Major Japanese conglomerates Sony, Panasonic and Daikin remain silent after unethical cut and run

Malay Mail 18th Dec 2024: Electronics maker faces Labour Dept inquiry Over RM806,310 in unpaid wages, substandard housing to Bangladeshi workers

NST 17th Dec 2024: 8 investigation papers opened against Kawaguchi, accomodation providers

17th Dec 2024: FMT Malaysian Labour dept promises justice for Kawaguchi Manufacturing modern slavery victims from Bangladesh on strike, Kawaguchi key customers were Sony, Panasonic, and Daikin

ABC 15th Dec 2024: Sony, Panasonic ‘cut and run’ from Malaysian supplier Kawaguchi accused of wage theft

15th Dec 2024: FMT – Ex-MP calls for ministry action after salary protest at Malaysia’s Kawaguchi plastics company supplying Japanese conglomerates Sony, Panasonic and Daikin

FMT 14th Dec 2024: Protest and alleged hostage taking at Kawaguchi plastics company in Malaysia by Bangladeshi migrant worker modern slavery victims over salary arrears – key Japanese buyers Sony, Panasonic and Daikin respond to BHRRC

26th Nov 2024: FMT – Worried Kawaguchi factory workers in Malaysia, producing Sony, Panasonic, Daikin and Sanden products, file a claim over RM800,000 (US$180,000) in wage arrears, deductions

18th Oct 2024: Sony admits own audit found probable labour code violation by Malaysian contractor Kawaguchi

19th Sept 2024 Malay Mail: Panasonic, Sony and Daikin vows probe into forced labour claim against Malaysian contractor

17th Sept 2024 FMT: Japanese electronics giants probe Malaysian supplier Kawaguchi after delayed salary payments

BHRRC 17th Sept 2024 – Malaysia: Plastics co. supplying to Panasonic, Sony & Daikin accused of violating rights of Bangladeshi workers; incl. indicators of forced labour; incl. cos. responses

6th Sept 2024: Malay Mail – Malaysian HR Ministry opens probe into slave labour claims against contractor (Kawaguchi) for Sony, Panasonic and Daikin

5th Sept 2024: FMT – Malaysian labour dept probes Bangladeshi workers’ forced labour claims

31st Aug 2024 Somoy News: Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia remain unpaid for 5 months

Updated Japanese company responses also available on BHRRC site (see below) 

Malaysia: Plastics co. supplying to Panasonic, Sony & Daikin accused of violating rights of Bangladeshi workers with indicators of forced labour; incl. cos. responses

We are all living a miserable life in Malaysia, not being able to eat, pay our debts and send money to our families.

Migrant worker, Kawaguchi Manufacturing

In September 2024, it was reported that over 200 Bangladeshi workers employed by Kawaguchi Manufacturing, a plastics company in Malaysia, have been experiencing human rights violations, including several indicators of forced labour. Kawaguchi allegedly supplies to major electronics firms, including Panasonic, Sony and Daikin, according to the Malay Mail.

Free Malaysia Today reported that migrant rights activist Andy Hall shared interviews with workers alleging labour rights abuse, including:

• Wage theft: the workers say they have not been paid for six months, which has caused distress on both them and their families back home.
• Recruitment fee charging: the workers say they were charged high fees for their jobs and took out loans to cover the fees.
• Denial of leave: the workers say they are forced to work seven days a week without public holidays or overtime pay. In one video, a worker says he is forced to work 12 hours a day.
• Unsuitable living conditions: the workers say they live in overcrowded and unhygienic accommodation.
• Failing to renew visas: some of the workers are allegedly without visas as the company failed to renew them. This has left them undocumented and vulnerable.
• Intimidation: the workers who raised concerns have been threatened with detention, deportation and police action. Four workers have been sent back to Bangladesh “as punishment”, according to Free Malaysia Today.
• Passport confiscation: the company allegedly withheld workers’ passports.

The Selangor labour department is now investigating the allegations.

The Malaysian based plastics industry, which is indeed an essential part of many international companies and brands globally supply chains and finished products, currently consists of conditions prevalent for systemic migrant forced labour.

Andy Hall, migrant worker activist

In September, the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre invited Daikin, Panasonic, and Sony to respond to the findings, and: a) confirm whether they still source from Kawaguchi Manufacturing, and/or the date when they stopped sourcing from the company; b) disclose any human rights due diligence they undertake prior to entering into contracts with suppliers and when monitoring working conditions at suppliers; c) disclose the steps they have taken to investigate the abuse reported; and, d) disclose the steps they have taken to remedy workers for the fee-charging, intimidation of protesting workers, and wage theft.

Daikin, Panasonic and Sony’s responses can be read in full below.

The Resource Centre was not able to contact Kawaguchi Manufacturing to invite a response to the allegations; if a response is received in future this page will be updated accordingly.

In October 2024, Daikin and Sony disclosed updates on their investigations into the case. Their updates can be read in full below.

Towards the end of November, Malaysian news outlets reported on workers’ concerns that buyers were halting sourcing from the factory in light of the ongoing allegations, citing moulds and other equipment being removed from the factory. About 60 workers at the time of that reporting had filed four separate reports with the labour department, claiming they are still owed unpaid wages and unauthorised salary deductions of almost USD180k.

Japanese companies Sony and Panasonic

The Resource Centre to all three buyers for a second time to understand how any exiting was being undertaken in line with responsible procurement principles. We asked the Japanese companies to confirm whether they had terminated sourcing, when this occurred, and which stakeholders were consulted in the decision-making. Panasonic confirmed it had completed all payments and accepted delivery delays from Kawaguchi, but was engaging “other suppliers who can provide the parts for the products currently being ordered by our customers, to whom certain molds were transferred”. Sony said it “had to conclude to discontinue the transaction with the company”. In its response, Daikin highlighted that its orders from Kawaguchi only account for 1-2% of its orders and stated the company would be unable to support Kawaguchi on its own, once Sony and Panasonic stopped sourcing from the factory.

In December 2024, 251 workers of Kawaguchi Manufacturing filed a complaint against Kawaguchi Manufacturing, Sony and Panasonic at the Japanese NCP.

In January 2025, Daikin, Sony and Panasonic were invited to provide updates on the state of remedy for Kawaguchi workers since mid-December 2024 and respond to allegations the settlement reached is inadequate. Developments reported since include:

• Following a five-day worker protest, remediation was discussed at a mediation with Kawaguchi in December but the settlement – which was reportedly agreed to span January 15 2025 until November 15 2025 – is alleged to be “inadequate” and a “formality”.
• Food provision is an acute issue as workers have been surviving on credit-bought food and loans are now due to shopkeepers given previous assurances of backpay by December 2024. While Daikin reportedly donated to distribute food through a local charity, there is no reporting of Sony or Panasonic doing similarly.
• While the labour office had promised the workers transfer to alternative employment, workers reported they were “forced” to accept these jobs, could not negotiate and were not informed of the terms of their employment, and feared continued exploitation.

Latest responses from Daikin and Panasonic are available in full below. Sony did not itself respond but highlighted the recent statement released by the Responsible Business Alliance, of which Sony and Panasonic are members.

In February 2025, Free Malaysia Today reported that 181 of the 251 foreign workers secured new jobs. 

Timeline

• Two-thirds of ex-Kawaguchi employees have found new jobs, activist revealsDate: 23 Feb 2025 Content Type: Article
• Panasonic update to Kawaguchi case Date: 20 Feb 2025 Content Type: Disclosure
• RBA Update on Repayment of Worker Recruitment Fees Related to Kawaguchi Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd.
  Date: 18 Feb 2025 Content Type:
  RBA Disclosure
• Daikin update to Kawaguchi case
  Date: 17 Feb 2025
  Content Type: Daikin Disclosure 
• Update re situation for Kawaguchi Manufacturing workers, 7 February 2025Date: 7 Feb 2025 Content Type:
  Article by Andy Hall
• Forced labour allegations at Kawaguchi, MalaysiaDate: 21 Jan 2025 Content Type: Article Industriall 
• Panasonic response re alleged insufficient remedy to Kawaguchi workersDate: 15 Jan 2025 Content Type: Company Response
• Sony non-response re alleged insufficient remedy to Kawaguchi workersDate: 14 Jan 2025 Content Type: Company Response
• 2nd letter from RBA: Repayment of Worker Recruitment Fees Related to Kawaguchi Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd.
  Date: 13 Jan 2025 Content Type: Disclosure
• Daikin response re alleged insufficient remedy to Kawaguchi workersDate: 10 Jan 2025 Content Type: Company Response
• USA: Kawaguchi Manufacturing migrant workers to file lawsuit against two Japanese companies for alleged exploitationDate: 8 Jan 2025
  Content Type: Article – The 251 Bangladeshi workers who were denied pay for seven months by Kawaguchi Manufacturing are preparing to sue two Japanese companies in Washington DC. Led by activist Andy Hall, they seek damages, compensation, and an apology for exploitation and mistreatment.
• Kawaguchi workers ‘forced’ to relocate, claims activistDate: 31 Dec 2024 Content Type: Article – Andy Hall says many of them have had to take on new jobs but were not able to negotiate the terms of their employment.
• Employees of Kawaguchi Manufacturing vs. Kawaguchi Manufacturing, Sony and Panasonic
  Date: 27 Dec 2024 Content Type: Article OECD WATCH
• Penniless and unemployed, foreign workers hoping to secure jobs before RamadanDate: 26 Dec 2024
  Content Type: Article – The workers are also hoping to secure a job so they can repay their debts.
• Daikin status update re Kawaguchi workers: 20 December 2024Date:
  20 Dec 2024 Content Type: Disclosure
• Air-con giant comes to rescue of unpaid foreign workersDate: 20 Dec 2024 Content Type: Article – Daikin Industries Ltd gives US$12,000 to help 251 purchase food and aid items.
• Labour Dept to assist Kawaguchi workers in securing new jobs, firm agrees to settle over RM3m backdated payDate: 19 Dec 2024 Content Type: Article 
• Kawaguchi to pay foreign workers’ owed salaryDate: 18 Dec 2024 Content Type: Article – An agreement has been reached after a five-hour mediation at the labour office between the employer and a group of foreign workers.
• Sony, Panasonic ‘cut and run’ from Malaysian supplier accused of wage theftDate: 14 Dec 2024 Content Type: Article
• 2nd Daikin response re concerns of contract cutting at Malaysian manufacturer where migrants alleged forced labour5 Dec 2024 Type: Company Response
• 2nd Panasonic response re concerns of contract cutting at Malaysian manufacturer where migrants alleged forced labour5 Dec 2024 Type: Company Response
• 2nd Sony response re concerns of contract cutting at Malaysian manufacturer where migrants alleged forced labour28 Nov 2024 Type: Company Response
• Update: Panasonic disclosure re-allegations of labour rights abuse of Bangladeshi workers at Malaysian supplier28 Nov 2024 Type: Company Response
• Factory workers file claim over RM800,000 in wage arrears, deductions28 Nov 2024 Type: Company Response – Fifty-seven say they are worried Kawaguchi Manufacturing Sdn Bhd’s three major clients might cut ties with them over forced labour allegations.
• Letter from Responsible Business Alliance re alleged forced labour at members’ supplier, Kawaguchi ManufacturingDate:26 Nov 2024 Content Type: Disclosure
• Sony admits own audit found probable labour code violation by Malaysian contractorDate:18 Oct 2024 Content Type: Article
• Update: Sony disclosure re-allegations of labour rights abuse of Bangladeshi workers at Malaysian supplierDate: 16 Oct 2024 Content Type: Disclosure
• Update: Daikin disclosure re-allegations of labour rights abuse of Bangladeshi workers at Malaysian supplierDate: 4 Oct 2024 Content Type: Disclosure
• Panasonic, Sony and Daikin vows probe into forced-labour claim against Malaysian contractorDate: 19 Sep 2024 Content Type: Article
• Japanese electronics giants probe M’sian supplier after delayed salary paymentsDate: 17 Sep 2024 Content Type: Article
• Panasonic response to allegations of labour rights abuse of Bangladeshi workers at Malaysian supplierDate: 17 Sep 2024 Content Type: Company Response
• Sony response to allegations of labour rights abuse of Bangladeshi workers at Malaysian supplierDate: 13 Sep 2024 Content Type: Company Response
• Daikin response to allegations of labour rights abuse of Bangladeshi workers at Malaysian supplierDate: 12 Sep 2024 Content Type: Company Response
• HR Ministry opens probe into slave labour claims against contractor for Sony, Panasonic and DaikinDate: 6 Sep 2024 Content Type: Article
• Labour dept probes Bangladeshi workers’ forced labour claimsDate: 5 Sep 2024 Content Type: Article
• Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia remain unpaid for 5 monthsDate: 31 Aug 2024 Content Type: Article

Key Case Documents/Reports 

Updated Kawaguchi report
FULLDownload

OECD COMPLAINT FILE Employees-of-Kawaguchi-vs.-Kawaguchi-Manufacturing-Sony-and-Panasonic-Complaint.pdfDownload

1.15.25 FINAL Legal Notice Letter to Sony and Panasonic.docxDownload

12.22.24 SECOND Legal Notice Letter to SONY Panasonic and Daikin.pdfDownload

11.19.24 FIRST Legal Notice Letter to Sony, Panasonic and Daikin.pdfDownload

RBA Feb 2025 letter Kawaguchi Download

RBA Jan 2025 letter KawaguchiDownload

RBA Nov 2025 letter KawaguchiDownload

RBA Dec 2025 letter KawaguchiDownload

Sony third letter KawaguchiDownload

Sony second letter KawaguchiDownload

Sony first letter KawaguchiDownload

Panasonic fifth letter Kawaguchi Download

Panasonic fourth letter KawaguchiDownload

Panasonic third letter KawaguchiDownload

Panasonic second letter KawaguchiDownload

Panasonic first letter KawaguchiDownload

Daikin first letter KawaguchiDownload

Daikin second letter KawaguchiDownload

Daikin third letter Kawaguchi Download

Daikin fourth letter KawaguchiDownload

Daikin fifth letter KawaguchiDownload

Additional Background Reading on Bangladesh Malaysia migration syndicate:

TBS 23rd May 2025: Malaysia to reopen labour market to Bangaldeshi migrants, syndicate stays but may expand agency list – ‘major modern slavery risk continues: my response’

20th May 2025: BAIRA faction alleged attack during press briefing against Malaysian labour market syndicate

Daily Star 19th May 2025: ‘Job scam’ – 33 Bangladeshis sue Malaysian firm, govt for Tk 4.8cr

FMT 18th May 2025: 33 Bangladeshi migrant workers sue Malaysian recruitment firm, Malaysian govt over job scam from alleged syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi workers for forced labour in Malaysia

Bloomberg EXCLUSIVE 15th May 2025: Malaysia Asks Bangladesh to Withdraw Migrant Labor Probes

16th May 2025 Channel News Asia (CNA): Malaysia to resume recruitment of stranded Bangladeshi workers, vows to protect them from abuse, fraud

16th May 2025: Conditions on manpower export after Amin Noor was indicted – Malaysia calls for withdrawal of all controversial cases against 100 agencies designated by government

FMT 15th May 2025: Bangladesh clears Malaysia of labour abuse claims

Daily Star Editorial 15th May 2025: Don’t let Malaysia recruitment syndicates exploit migrants again – Workers’ rights must be prioritised during bilateral talks

Daily Star 16th May 2025: Malaysia job market – Bangladeshis may be given preference

Star 16th May 2025: Malaysia committed to protecting Bangladeshi workers from exploitation, says Saifuddin

Daily Sun 16th May 2025: Malaysian labour market beckons Bangladeshis again

New Nation 16th May 2025: Malaysia labour market set to reopenDaily Sun Infographic 16th May  

SCMP 15th May 2025: Malaysia, Bangladesh urged to act on labour trafficking before ending migrant worker freeze

‘Thousands’ of Bangladeshis are stranded without jobs in Malaysia after a hiring freeze forced them to overstay illegally, activists say

—

FMT 15th May 2025: Malaysia asks Bangladesh to withdraw migrant labour probes (taken from Bloomberg media) 

Daily Star 15th May 2025: Bangladesh Malaysia agrees to recruit ‘large number’ of Bangladeshi workers

Daily Star 14th May 2025: Bangladeshi migrants in malaysia: Dhaka’s uphill battle to break syndicate chains

Daily Sun 15th May 2025: REOPENING OF MALAYSIAN LABOUR MARKET – A new deal or another compromise with syndication?

TBS 14th May 2025: Rights body urges syndicate-free hiring as expatriate adviser visits Malaysia

FMT 14th May 2025: Malaysia-Bangladesh labour talks must address cartel issues, says ex-MP as Bangladeshi Expatriates Advisor Arrives in Malaysia 

ProthomAlo 18th April 2025: Bangladesh: Awami League supporters are dropping out, but the ‘Malaysia Circle’ is trying to form again

হোমঅন্যান্য
মালয়েশিয়ায় আবারও সিন্ডিকেটের পাঁয়তারা, সতর্ক করলেন শ্রম অধিকার কর্মী
বাংলা ট্রিবিউন রিপোর্ট
০৭ এপ্রিল ২০২৫, ১৯:০৫ (Syndicates are on the rise again in Malaysia, warns labor rights activist)

FMT 7th Apr 2025: Activist warns of syndicate threat to migrant labour reforms in Malaysia

TBS 8th May 2025: Halt Malaysia worker flow if syndicate persists: Labour stakeholders to govt

Bangla News 24 8th 2025: Fraud in manpower export to Malaysia
That dream is still elusive (Bangladeshi Language)

Aliran 8th May 2025: Breaking a 30-year monopoly on Malaysia’s migrant worker medical testing syndicate: Why Fomema should not dominate foreign worker medical screenings in the future – calling for an end to Malaysian foreign worker healthcare/recruitment syndicate

Ratopati 8th May 2025: Foreign employment: Syndicate of manpower professionals in Nepal tries to exclusively send migrant workers to Malaysia (Nepali language) 

Madhyahana Daily 7th May 2025: There Is No Possibility Of Forming A Syndicate In Nepal Malaysian Employment: Nepal Labor Minister Bhandari Statement

SajhaSabal 6th May 2025: Foreign Employment Nepal – Malaysia Employment: Are Recruitment Syndicate Operators in Nepal and Malaysia More Powerful Than the Government? Whose Plan Is This? (Bangladeshi Malaysia like recruitment syndicate fears hit Nepal Malaysia recruitment market) (Nepali Language)

5th May 2025 Daily Star: BAIRA urges govt to reopen Malaysian labour market

5th May 2025 Kalerkantho: Fraud in manpower export to Malaysia – 8 billion taka of workers’ money in Swapan’s pocket

5th May Prothomalo: Bangladesh Memorandum to the Chief Advisor – Demand to open Malaysia’s labor market to all legal agencies

Kalerkantho 1 May, 2025: Swapan-Amin’s luxurious life with workers’ money from Bangladesh/Malaysia migrant worker recruitment scam

Kalerkantho 01 May, 2025: Bangladeshi Workers are living inhumane lives in Bangladesh without getting their money back due to Malaysian recruitment syndicate/scam

30th April 2025 Kalerkantho: Swapan-Amin cycle active again – Fraud in manpower export to Malaysia

5th Nov 2024: Bloomberg – Bangladesh Asks Malaysia to Arrest Businessmen in Migrant Trafficking Case

Important article by PSM/Rani Rasiah 11th Nov 2024 – Extradition call – Justice in sight for migrant worker recruitment fraud victims?

Daily Star 11th Nov 2024: Dhaka, KL must act to end trafficking

FMT 10th Nov 2024: Govt wants Dhaka to clarify extradition request for duo

FMT 7th Nov 2024: Silence not an option, govt told, as Bangladesh seeks duo’s extradition

Free Malaysia Today 6th Nov 2024: Bestinet founder denies misconduct amid report of extradition

CNA 6th Nov 2024: Bangladesh asks Malaysia to arrest and extradite 2 businessmen over alleged migrant worker trafficking and extortion (background article)

6th Nov 2024: Malaysiakini – Amid extradition call, Bestinet founder denies money laundering claim

Malaysiakini 5th Nov 2024: Bangladesh wants M’sia to extradite Bestinet founder, associate

Oct 21st 2024 BBS: Ex-minister Imran Ahmad on 3-day remand in human trafficking case

UCA News 7th Oct 2024: Ending Bangladeshi workers’ Malaysian plight is a test for their leaders

Daily Star 6th Oct 2024: Anwar ibrahim’s visit: A chance to root out graft from labour hiring

SCMP 5th Oct 2024: Malaysia must slash fees, smash cartels to reopen Bangladesh labour market – rights groups

5th Oct 2024: Benar News – Malaysia’s PM Anwar promises Bangladeshi migrant workers will be treated fairly

Reuters Oct 4th 2024: Malaysia PM Anwar Ibrahim to visit Bangladesh, focus on labour issues

Benar News Oct 4th 2024: PM pledges priority for Bangladesh migrant workers who missed out

Daily Star Oct 5th 2024: Diplomacy – Malaysia entry debacle – Anwar Ibrahim to consider issue of Bangladeshi workers

Daily Star Oct 5th 2024: Amending MoU on Malaysia-bound Bangladeshi workers can bring a sea change

Daily Star 5th Oct 2024: 
Labour Export – President seeks support from Malaysia

New Age Oct 5th 2024: Malaysian PM pledges new entry of 18,000 migrant workers from Bangladesh

Background Reading:

20th Sept 2024: Prothmalo – Aminul and Ruhul Amin involved in alleged migrant worker syndicate money ‘laundering’ to Malaysia

20th Sept 2024: Scoop – MACC’s Bestinet probe is ‘NFA’, no proof of other money-laundering claims: Azam Baki

20th Sept 2024: Malaysiakini – Bestinet denies money laundering allegations

Daily Star Sept 7th 2024: Dismantling the recruitment syndicate for Malaysian labour market

FMT 7th July 2024: Use independent experts for migrant system audit, says anti-graft group

6th July 2024: Migration to Malaysia – Money of all workers who failed to depart as part of alleged criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi workers for forced labour in Malaysia to be refunded

MALAYSIAKINI 6th July 2024 C4CENTER COMMENT: Massive migrant labour recruiting issues, cops must probe

NST 6th July 2024: Probe foreign labour recruitment misgovernance highlighted by PAC, govt urged

FMT 6th July 2024: Anti-corruption watchdog demands action over govt-Bestinet deal

Malay Mail 6th July 2024: Home minister says will review PAC criticism over migrant worker system launched without contract

Star 5th July 2024: Mutual termination clause in Bestinet contract puts Putrajaya in ‘challenging position’, says Public Accounts Committee report

4th July 2024 BSS News – Expatriates Minister Shofiqur directs returning money to workers who failed to go to Malaysia

4th July 2024 New Age – Bangladeshi Agencies must refund workers unable to go to Malaysia by July 18: ministry

FMT 4th July 2024: Govt urged to heed PAC’s call on migrant worker system

Star 4th July 2024: Human Resources Ministry to conduct internal audit

Star 4th July 2024: PAC uncovers serious flaws

FMT 3rd July 2024: Decide quickly on direction of migrant worker system in Malaysia, Public Accounts Committee tells govt

Vibes 3rd July 2024: Foreign worker management system operating 6 years without a contract 

3rd July 2024: The Edge – Public Accounts Committee chastises govt for running foreign worker recruitment system for six years without contract

Malaysiakini 3rd July 2024: BESTINET Probe – Public Accounts Committee chief says ‘Datuk Amin’ not among witnesses

3rd July 2024: The Star – Bestinet told Public Accounts Committee unauthorised users were approved by HR Ministry personnel, report shows

FMT 2nd July 2024: Tenaganita letter to Editor – TIP upgrade no cause for celebration just yet

30th June 2024: Somoy News – Bangladeshi High Court orders disclosure of action on Malaysia migrant worker scam (with 500,000+ victims) in 7 days

Malay Mail 25th June 2024: Home minister sees good things for Malaysian businesses after upgrade to US trafficking ranking

The Star 25th June 2024: Malaysia will strive to reach Tier 1 in Trafficking In Persons report, says Saifuddin

Scoop 25th June 2024: Nation’s improved Tier 2 human trafficking ranking ‘dangerously misleading’, says activist

See also MALAYSIAKINI 25th June 2024: M’sia doesn’t deserve Tier 2 in US human trafficking ranking – activist

Daily Star 26th June 2024: Rights activists criticise Malaysia’s improved ranking

See also Benar News 24th June 2024: Malaysia advances in US State Dept’s world rankings for anti-human trafficking efforts

See also FMT 24th June 2024: Malaysia upgraded to Tier 2 in US human trafficking report

See also Benarma 25th June 2024: Malaysia upgraded to Tier 2 in U.S. TIP Report

See also Focus Malaysia 25th June 2024: Migrant workers’ activist – Malaysia doesn’t deserve Tier 2 upgrade in 2024 US human trafficking report

See also 25th June 2024: Home Ministry welcomes country’s Tier 2 upgrade on Trafficking in Persons 2024 report

See also FMT 25th June 2024: Home ministry open to working with NGOs against human trafficking

See also Star 25th June 2024: Malaysia upgraded to Tier 2 in latest Trafficking in Persons report

SCMP 25th June 2024: Malaysia’s upgrade in US human trafficking index decried as ‘disappointing’ amid migrant worker woes

24th June 2024 Exclusive Analysis: CNA – Extension of Malaysia’s controversial migrant labour ecosystem (involving BESTINET) a blow to PM Anwar’s reform agenda 

See New Strait Times 24th June 2024: Malaysian Government Forms Committee to Review Terms of Bestinet’s 3 Year Extension

FMT 24th June 2024: Bestinet contract extended, confirms Saifuddin – ‘Home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail says the Cabinet decided in principle on the extension ‘several weeks ago’.

Malay Mail 24th June 2024: Home Minister – Bestinet keeps foreign worker system contract for three more years, but with stricter terms

Bernama News 24th June 2024: Committee set up to Peruse Terms and Conditions of BESTINET Contract

FMT 24th June 2024: Bestinet to surrender control of workers management system under new deal

FMT 24th June 2024: Bestinet should be phased out eventually, says ex-MP

Malaysianist 18th June 2024: Minting money from a migrant services monopoly (click to subscribe for full article)

9th June 2024 Daily Star – Labour Recruitment from Bangladesh to Malaysia: Syndicate wins, migrants suffer, country loses(excellent summary how bad triumphed, carnage resulted – Bangladesh and Malaysia MUST be downgraded to Tier 3 in the upcoming U.S. TIP report!)

Dhaka Tribune 11th June 2024: Deadline extended for Malaysia migration hurdle complaints

Business Standard 11th June: Unrest within Baira over Malaysian labour market, ruckus in AGM as committee members assaulted 

Observer 9th June 2024: Around 2,900 complaints lodged by deprived Malaysia-bound migrants

Malaysianist 6th June 2024: The fat cat ruling the Malaysian migrant services roost(allegations of systemic corruption involving Malaysia’s migrant worker management systems – click to subscribe)

Business Standard 5th June 2024: Govt to take action over failure in sending workers to Malaysia: PM Hasina

4th June 2024 Daily Star (Op Ed): Break the syndicates, not the dreams of Malaysia-bound workers

SCMP 4th June 2024 – In Malaysia, business and human rights must go hand in hand, UN rights chief says in KL press conference against backdrop of systemic migrant worker abuses

New Straits Times 4th June 2024: Human rights-centric practices essential for foreign investment, says UN

4th June 2024 Business Standard: NHRC orders probe into alleged embezzlement of Tk150cr from Malaysia-bound workers

4th June 2024 Business Standard: 47,809 Bangladeshis flew to Malaysia in May – highest since labour market reopened in 2022

Daily Sun 3rd June: IRREGULARITIES IN MIGRATION TO MALAYSIA – Recruiting agencies never made accountable(good historical summary)

Business Standard 4th June 2024:Dhaka-20, Feni-2 MPs deny allegations of involvement in embezzling money from Malaysia-bound workers

SCMP 3rd June 2024: ‘Nothing left for me’ as thousands of Bangladeshi workers lose everything in failed bid to work in Malaysia

Daily Star Editorial 3rd June 2024: Must our migrants pay the price every time?

Prothomalo 3rd June 2024 – Bangladesh Labour market: Hapless workers lose all vying to go to Malaysia

Daily Sun 3rd June 2024: IRREGULARITIES IN MIGRATION TO MALAYSIA: Recruiting agencies never made accountable

FMT 3rd June 2024: 17,000 Bangladeshi workers stranded, Dhaka pleads for time

Daily Star 3rd June 2024: 16,970 Bangladeshis failed to reach Malaysia for mismanagement, more destitution and modern slavery will result

Daily Star 3rd June 2024 – Bangladeshi Migrant Worker Exploitation and Malaysian Labour Market Alleged Criminal Syndicate: The agencies picked by KL to blame, Bangladesh tells UN OHCHR

Daily Star 2nd June 2024: Controversial recruitment system to stay 3 more years

Daily Star 2nd June – Jobs in Malaysia: Mismanagement left over 3k workers with no ticket to KL

Daily Star 1st June 2024: Must history repeat itself with the Malaysian labour market’s alleged criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi migrant workers for forced labour

MALAYSIAKINI June 1st 2024: Controversial worker management system BESTINET gets new lease, sources say

1st June 2024 Kalerkantho: Malaysia’s dream ends in deprivation for Bangladeshi migrant workers of criminal syndicate

FMT 31st May 2024: Expect Bangladeshi workers to be stranded and at high risk of modern slavery following Malaysian migration management deadline rush, warns activist

SCMP 31st May 2024: Malaysians shocked by thousands of Bangladeshis crowding at airport to beat deadline for legal work, as UN and activists warn of increased modern slavery risks

CNA 31st May 2024: Over 30,000 workers set to miss deadline to enter Malaysia even as officials clear backlog at KL airport

Prothomalo 31 May 2024 – Bangladesh – Malaysia’s labour market: Repeated syndicates, repeated closure

Prothomalo 31st May 2024: Bangladesh – Thousands of people crowded Dhaka airport without flight tickets to go to Malaysia

31st May 2024 FMT: Govt reaffirms commitment to protect migrant workers’ rights to UN

31st May 2024: The closure of the labor market in Malaysia has shattered the dreams of 31,000 workers

Daily Star 31 May 2024 – Recruitment in Malaysia: Syndicate siphons over $1b out of Bangladesh

Daily Sun 31st May 2024: Biman sends 2,000 migrant workers to Malaysia

Business Standard 31st May 2024: Malaysia-bound workers scammed, stranded at Dhaka airport as deadline set to expire today

Daily Star 30th May 2024: Manpower syndicates beyond Dhaka-KL control

30th May 2024: Comment by Andy Hall, independent migrant worker rights specialist, on ongoing migrant worker management crisis in Malaysia and at KLIA airport today, Bangladeshi workers at high risk of modern slavery

CNA 30th May 2024: ‘Congestion’ at KL airport as employers scramble to bring in thousands of migrant workers before deadline

MALAYSIAKINI 30th May 2023: ‘Migrants influx at KLIA due to employers chasing deadline’

30th May 2024 Benar News: Malaysia’s labor market closed – Migrant workers flock to airports in all countries

29th May Daily Star: Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia – Hiring begins with bribery (UN independent experts say Bangladeshi workers pay up to 8 times for migration alone due to corruption of Malaysia ministries, Bangladesh mission and syndicates)

29th May Daily Star: Airfare to Malaysia surges fivefold

FMT 28th May 2024: Malaysia yet to respond to UN concerns on alleged criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi migrant victims for forced labour in the country(with my full statement included)

For Immediate Release 27th May 2024: Statement by Andy Hall, Independent Migrant Worker Rights Specialist, on today’s public release of UN OHCHR’s unanswered urgent appeal communications to the Malaysian and Bangladeshi Governments 

30th May Star: Cyclone smashes Bangladeshi workers’ hopes, extension requested

Channel News Asia 25th May 2024: Malaysia’s bid to revamp hiring of foreign workers through controversial BESTINET process faces pushback; activists say country’s reputation at stake

22nd May 2024: UN expert – Malaysian law enforcement mixing up human trafficking, migrant smuggling – “What steps has Malaysia taken to investigate alleged complicity of public officials in human trafficking?’’

20th May 2024 FMT: Duped Bangladeshi workers won’t impact Malaysia’s US Human trafficking report ranking, says HR Minister Sim

Malay Mail 17th May 2024: Pengerang employer to face Labour Court in Malaysia after failing for months to pay Bangladeshi workers’ wages over RM1m (government statements and my comments included – months on, court agreed mediation settlement unforced, workers allegedly remain in situation akin to acute modern slavery)

16th May 2024: Firm that left over 700 Bangladeshi workers to dry in Pengerang facing possible prosecution (months on, court agreed mediation settlement unforced, workers allegedly remain in situation akin to acute modern slavery)

14th May 2024: FMT – Activists warn of US trafficking report downgrade for Malaysia amid UN criticism

May 10th 2024 The Star: Malaysian Government responds to OHCHR, IOM, ILO and UNODC joint condemnation on alleged Bangaldeshi migrant worker criminal syndicate by pledging to set up special unit handling migrant workers’ grievances, says HR Minister Sim

9th May 2024: Study: 96% of Bangladeshi workers going to Malaysia fall into recruitment debt– The study also said that 82% had two or more loans and 73% of workers spent at least 50% to 100% of their monthly salary to repay recruitment debts

4th May 2024: UN agencies concerned over Bangladeshi workers stranded in Malaysia – Joint Statement of ILO, IOM and UNODC on Alleged Criminal Syndicate Trafficking Bangladeshi Workers for Forced Labour in Malaysia

24th April 2024: Address plight of duped Bangladeshi migrant workers in Malaysia in response to UN warning, govt told (more on the ongoing saga of an alleged criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi migrant workers for forced labour in Malaysia)

19th April 2024: UN (OHCHR) Statement on Alleged Criminal Syndicate Trafficking Bangladeshi Workers for Forced Labour in Malaysia – ‘Malaysia: Bangladeshi workers must be protected from exploitation and criminalisation, say UN experts’

FMT 19th April 2024: UN experts sound alarm over plight of duped Bangladeshi migrants in Malaysia

For more on Andy Hall’s complaint to the OHCHR see 30th Oct 2023: FMT: Andy Hall refers stranded Bangladeshi workers’ plight in Malaysia to UN Human Rights Council

See Daily Star 23rd Apr 2024: Bangladesh Plight of Migrant Workers – Bangladesh, Malaysia working group meeting likely in May

See Daily Star Editorial 23rd Apr 2024: When even legal migrants suffer – Workers migrating to Malaysia legally deserve better protection 

Business Standard 23rd April 2024: Expat Ministry reviews UN complaints on Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia

Prothomalo 23rd April 2024: Bangladesh – Ministry reviewing allegations over Malaysia labour market

BenarNews Malay Language: Pakar PBB gesa Malaysia tangani layanan buruk diterima pekerja Bangladesh (UN expert urges Malaysia to handle bad treatment received by Bangladeshi workers)

Daily Star 19th Apr 2024: UN experts express dismay over situation of Bangladeshi migrants in Malaysia

FMT 19th Apr 2024: PSM, news portal set aside order to stop debate on migrant workers’ plight

Daily Star Editorial 17th April 2024: Save our migrants in Malaysia (more on the crisis caused by an alleged criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi workers for forced labour in Malaysia)

9th April 2024 The Star – Bangladeshi victims of criminal syndicate trafficking worked for forced labour in Malaysia: ‘Cops after workers, not rogue employers’

7th April 2024: SCMP – As Malaysia’s door closes on low-paid migrant workers, companies scramble for staff (and a systemically corrupt migration management and recruitment policy, devoid of the rule of law and leading to impunity and gross exploitation, is revealed)

6th April 2024 Daily Star: A hostel of nightmares for Bangladeshi migrants allegedly trafficked by criminal syndicate for forced labour in Malaysia (and Daily Star Op Ed)

Daily Star Editorial 6th Apr 2024: What will happen to migrants abandoned in Malaysia?

26th March 2024: The Star – Freeze on foreign workers hiring quota in Malaysia stays for now, says HR Minister (with estimated 200,000+ surplus foreign workforce victims facing destitution and abuse)

25th March 2024: Bangladeshi workers (alleged victims of criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi workers for forced labour in Malaysia) claim being coerced into withdrawing police and labour complaints

Daily Star 25th Mar: Malaysia employer framed Bangladeshi workers

Daily Star 24th Mar 2024: Jailed in Malaysia – 3 Bangladesh workers released

Editorial Prothomalo 24th Mar 2024: Malaysian labour market – Take action against the fraud syndicate

FMT 23rd March 2024: PSM calls on Sim to look into arrest of Bangladeshi workers

MALAYSIAKINI 23 Mar 2024: Stranded foreign workers (alleged victims of criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi workers for forced labour in Malaysia) nabbed after labour complaints against employer

23rd March 2024 The Star: Half a million vulnerable and irregular foreign workers disappear from Malaysia’s migrant worker regularization programme as deadline looms in one week

23 Mar 2024 The Star: Verification rate lags as RTK 2.0 deadline approaches

22nd March 2024 Malay Mail: Home minister – Over RM9m in fines collected so far through migrant repatriation programme

22nd March 2024 Protomalo: Malaysian labour market set to be closed again due to syndication

20th March 2024: 93 duped/detained Bangladeshi migrant workers in Malaysia have jobs now, says immigration DG

20th Mar 2024 Business Standard: Bangladeshi workers’ plight in Malaysia: Coalition of migration orgs demand action against recruiting agency syndicate

19th March 2024: FMT – Plantation firms wary of ‘forced labour’ concerns in hiring 200,000 surplus foreign workers/criminal syndicate victims in Malaysia, says minister – indeed he’s right, who wants to take on destitute foreign workers often with US$4-7000 in debt?

17th March 2024: FMT – Malaysia’s treatment of migrant workers utterly shameful

New Age 16th Mar 2024: Bangladeshi government must mend issues to keep Malaysia job market open

15th March 2024 SCMP: Malaysians deride minister’s idea to rebrand palm oil workers as ‘specialised harvesters’

14th March 2024: The Star – Opinion: When work in Malaysia is a con – the criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshis for forced labour in Malaysia

FMT 13th March 2024: Bangladeshi migrants file police reports after falling victim to job scam/criminal syndicate trafficking workers from Bangladesh for forced labour in Malaysia

12th March 2024: SCMP – Malaysia to slash migrant workforce amid intolerance, job scam crisis involving Bangladeshi labourers

FMT 11th Mar 2024: Duped migrant jobseekers, victims of alleged criminal syndicate trafficking Bangaldeshi workers to Malaysia for forced labour, face mental health issues, says Malaysian ex-MP

Daily Star Editorial 10th March 2024: Migrating to a life of unemployment

Daily Star 10th Mar 2024: Distressed in Malaysia – Thousands of Bangladeshi migrants jobless, unpaid or underpaid 

9th March 2024: Malay Mail – Activists warn rushed 31st March visa deadline in Malaysia could force firms to source foreign workers unethically (includes my commentary on the abrupt policy change)

9th Mar 2024 The Star: No extension of May 31 foreign worker deadline

NST 9th Mar 2024: Keep recruitment agencies in a list rather than shutting them down, govt told   

See also NST 9th Mar 2024: Sourcing migrant workers takes time, ‘not like buying cattle’, employer groups tell govt

NST 8th Mar 2024: Eliminate middlemen from migrant worker recruitment process, govt told

Star 8th Mar 2024: May 31 deadline for foreign workers recruitment under recalibration programme remains, says Saifuddin

Malay Mail 8th Mar 2024: Saifuddin Nasution: No more agents for Bangladeshi worker recruitment

6th Mar 2024: Malaysian government halts foreign worker entry into the country from 31st May 2024 (final calling visa/VDN approval issuance deadline 31st March 2024) as migrant worker management crisis worsens and victims of gross exploitation, unemployment and destitution rise significantly

6th March 2024: Business Times –Sudden change in foreign worker policy by Malaysian government leaves industry in limbo

6th Mar 2024 Edge: Foreign worker intake deadline changes will leave manufacturers in the lurch, says FMM

6th Mar 2024 FMT: Industry players shocked by foreign worker policy change, says FMM

Mar 5 2024: NCCIM urges govt to review unused foreign worker quota deadline

4th March 2024 URGENT call for donations/support: joining forces with HOPE SELANGOR to fill gap in providing humanitarian aid and assistance to victims of criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi workers into forced labour in Malaysia

Mar 3rd 2024: Concern on repatriation of potential trafficking and forced labour/abuse victims under Malaysian Migrant Worker Repatriation Programme Commencing 1st March 2024 (Statement by Andy Hall, Independent Migrant Worker Rights Specialist)

FMT 3rd Mar 2024: Ensure ‘crooks’ do not gain from repatriation programme, says activist

Mar 2nd 2024 The Star: A chance for illegals to go home

Mar 2nd 2024 The Star: Sarawak immigration extends RTK2.0 until June

Mar 1st 2024 FMT: 600,000 foreign workers urged to take easy exit home

Mar 1st 2024 The Star: Use repatriation programme to return home, 600,000 illegals told

Feb 28th 2024 The Star: New programme lets migrants off the hook without being prosecuted

Feb 25th 2024 The Star: Businesses want foreign worker hiring freeze lifted

Jan 31st 2024 NST: Govt to implement Migrant Repatriation Programme starting March

Jan 31st 2024 The Edge: Cabinet agrees to extend freeze on hiring of foreign workers, says home minister 

31st Jan 2024 FMT: Migrant repatriation programme set for March 1

31st Jan 2024 The Star: Migration Repatriation Programme to commence on March 1, says Home Ministry

FMT 6th Jan 2024: 171 duped migrant workers deserve compensation, govt told (includes my full statement)

5th Jan 2024: New Strait Times – MCA: Don’t just fine employers, hold ministry accountable as well for unemployed foreign workers

FMT 30th Dec 2023: Migrants being duped into Malaysia because of govt’s failure to curb criminal trafficking syndicates and organised crime network, says activist Andy Hall

30th Dec 2023: New Strait Times – Recruitment agencies accused of deception as Bangladeshi victims speak out on exploitation and fear

29th Dec 2023: Malay Mail – Set up probe on exploitation of migrant workers and new ministry to manage their affairs, Suhakam tells Putrajaya

28th Dec 2023: FMT – Malaysia has entered ‘slave labour’ territory, says ex-MP – Charles Santiago calls for specific set-ups to manage migrant workers 

27th Dec 2023: New Strait Times – MTUC demand govt, MACC probe into corrupt recruitment practices of foreign workers

26th Dec 2023: FMT – High recruitment fees make greedy agents bring in workers, says group

25th Dec 2023: FMT – Probe recruitment agents, MACC told after arrest of Bangladeshis

22nd Nov 2023: MALAYSIAKINI – Full probe of migrant worker syndicate, Malaysian HR Minister Sivakumar says

9th Nov 2023: Malaysia – The State of the Nation: Flaws of foreign worker system laid bare in declassified report

30th Oct 2023: FMT: Andy Hall refers stranded Bangladeshi workers’ plight in Malaysia to UN Human Rights Council

23rd Oct 2023: RESPONSE FROM THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCES IN REGARDS TO AN ARTICLE BY MR. ANDY HALL/HR Minister – strict actions against employers who fail to comply with Malaysia’s labour and immigration laws

20th Oct 2023 Malaysiakini: Long-awaited foreign worker management report declassified in Malaysia (my comments added)

19th Oct 2023: Malaysia facing huge excess of 1/4 million migrant laborers

21st Sep 2023: Malaysian government has 15 source countries for foreign workers – Comments by Andy Hall

20th Sep 2023: Rate of abused Bangladeshi workers’ entry into Malaysia worrying, says migrant rights activist Andy Hall

12th July 2023: excellent final offering from a 4 part account of atypical modern-day slavery, forced labour and abuse perpetrated against a group of migrant workers from Bangladesh in Malaysia, written concisely and passionately by former MP from Malaysia Charles Santiago

Aljazeera News TV 10th July 2023 – Migrants in Malaysia: Hundreds left stranded in recruitment scam

The post FMT 20th Sept 2025: Panasonic, rights group reach historic settlement over 250 ‘unpaid’ Bangladeshi former Kawaguchi workers in Malaysia appeared first on Andy Hall.

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.

—

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.

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”.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

“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.

“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.

2nd July 2025 FMT: Workers at glove mould producer Mediceram back at work after successful talks

FMT Reporters

This follows an updated agreement concerning workplace issues raised by Mediceram’s 190-odd Bangladeshi workers.

PETALING JAYA:

Foreign workers at glove mould manufacturer Mediceram Sdn Bhd have returned to work following successful negotiations between the company and representatives of the employees.

Mediceram chairman Arumugam Suppiah and activist Andy Hall said this followed an updated settlement agreement concerning workplace issues raised by more than 190 of the Bangladeshi workers.

In a joint statement today, they said Mediceram had pledged to urgently address the concerns raised, including the renewal of the workers’ visas, and expediting paying back the recruitment costs they incurred.

“As an expression of the company’s enhanced commitment to more effective workplace social dialogue to prevent future disputes, Mediceram has set up an independent hotline to receive workers’ concerns, to complement the democratically elected workplace worker committee.

“Mediceram and Hall once again agreed to more effective engagement together to ensure there is proper implementation by both parties of the updated agreement between the workers and the management,” they said.

On March 6 and 18, the Bangladeshi workers staged two rounds of strikes to protest against contributions paid to agents in Bangladesh and unresolved passport and visa issues.

FMT 25th May 2025: Malaysian mould manufacturer Mediceram sets up task force to resolve worker grievances following Bangladeshi migrant workers successful strike to address alleged forced labour conditions

Glove mould manufacturer Mediceram Sdn Bhd has agreed to set up an internal task force linked to a committee comprising employees to resolve future grievances. The move follows weeks of tension with its Bangladeshi workforce over alleged working conditions and the recruitment fees the workers had paid in Bangladesh before coming to Malaysia, said Arumugam Suppiah, the company’s chairman.

Sourced from: FMT by Minderjeet Kaur – 25th May 2024

Mediceram Sdn Bhd says they have reached an amicable solution with their Bangladeshi workers, who recently went on strike.

Arumugam also said the company and its Bangladeshi workers reached an amicable resolution to issues related to a recent dispute today.

“Both parties have now committed to moving forward constructively together in the best interests of all stakeholders and to ensure the profitability and economic well-being of our business,” he said in a statement.

He said both sides agreed that any future complaints from workers concerning their working and living conditions would be addressed through the in-house task force, instead of raising them on social media or the press, “to ensure constructive dialogue and timely resolution”.

Arumugam said the workers had been demanding refunds for recruitment fees they paid to Bangladeshi agents before their arrival in Malaysia.

Although Mediceram initially agreed to reimburse them, its proposal to stagger the payments over a 12-month period led to renewed protests.

About 180 Bangladeshi workers staged two rounds of strikes, on March 6 and 18, in protest against contributions paid to agents in Bangladesh and unresolved passport and visa issues.

Arumugam said the company has since agreed to pay each of the workers RM22,500, over an eight-month period, although it is not obligatory under Malaysian laws.

He also thanked migrant rights activist Andy Hall for facilitating the dialogue between the company and its Bangladeshi workers under challenging circumstances, and for Hall’s commitment to finding a fair and mutually acceptable resolution to the problem.

“While some harsh statements were indeed exchanged in the past week, and the company observed what we believe were inappropriate actions by certain individuals throughout this dispute, we humbly accept our own shortcomings in managing this situation effectively at the outset with our own workers,” he said.

Arumugam, however, disputed earlier reports by FMT that the strike by the foreign labourers was linked to unpaid wages.

The Daily Star emailed Mediceram seeking comments on the allegations, but was yet to receive a reply as of last night.

“It was due to the fees paid to recruitment agents in Bangladesh,” he said.

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

Carolyn K

Labour rights activist Andy Hall says the strike entered its third day on Sunday, with 176 workers signing a petition to their employer.

PETALING JAYA:

Sourced from: https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2025/05/19/factory-threatened-to-deport-60-migrants-amid-strike-says-activist/

A glove mould manufacturer has allegedly threatened to deport 60 Bangladeshi workers after they downed tools over unpaid wages and other grievances, according to migrant rights activist Andy Hall.

He said the strike entered its third day yesterday, with 176 workers said to be participating by staying home instead of turning up for work

“The factory is not officially shut, but there is no production going on,” Hall said.

He said the workers at the factory, which supplies glove moulds to local and global glove makers, first went on strike from March 6 to 18 over arrears of salaries and overtime unpaid for months.

The company paid up after intervention by his team, Hall said, and returned the passports of about 80 workers.

The workers returned to work on March 19, but tensions escalated again when the workers demanded refunds of RM22,500 each in fees and related costs incurred before arriving in Malaysia.

Hall said the company agreed to refund the costs but only over a 12-month period, which led to a new strike on Friday. The workers demanded that future wages be paid on time, all passports be renewed, and visas extended without further delay.Mediceram worker protest on 16th May 2025 at their hostel

He alleged that the company’s managing director had threatened to deport “not just one person” but 60, saying if they stopped work, they would all be sent back because there was no more work.

Hall said a Bangladeshi official had visited the company on Thursday and met with the workers; he had also met human resources minister Steven Sim in Putrajaya on Thursday together with another senior Bangladeshi official.

FMT has sought comment from the labour department as well as the company.

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

Porimol Palma

Sun May 18, 2025

Sourced from: https://www.thedailystar.net/nrb/migration/news/migrants-malaysia-worker-faces-deportation-after-speaking-3897136

A Malaysian company has revoked the work permit of a Bangladeshi migrant and threatened to do the same to 60 others on Thursday, a day after the workers talked to Expatriates’ Welfare Adviser Prof Asif Nazrul about poor working conditions, several workers have said.

The management of Negeri Sembilan-based Mediceram, which manufactures rubber gloves, called the worker named Nahid Ibrahim and told him that his work permit would be revoked and he would be deported, they said.

During his four-day visit to Malaysia from May 13-16, the adviser met the Mediceram workers and held meetings with three Malaysian ministers to discuss how the Southeast Asian country can reopen its labour market for Bangladeshis and address the problems facing the workers.

Amid reports of irregularities in overseas recruitment, Malaysia suspended hiring Bangladesh workers in May last year.

Requesting anonymity, a worker of the gloves factory said, “We were shocked when we heard that Nahid would be deported and protested. Then, the management said it has a list of 60 of us who would be deported.”

Nearly 200 workers then began a strike on Friday, he said, requesting not to be named for fear of backlash.

In an email to Prof Asif’s Private Secretary Sarwoer Alam, Nahid wrote, “The company followed me and heard what I said about labour issues with our adviser. All of a sudden, they called me to the office and said I would be deported.”

The email was also sent to the Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur.

Nahid went to Malaysia under a three-year contract and his visa expires in August this year. He spent more than Tk 5 lakh to reach the country and is still in debt because the company had not paid him regularly, according to the email.

“Please discuss with the company and stand by me and my family,” Nahid wrote.

Nahid told The Daily Star yesterday that neither the adviser’s PS nor the High Commission responded to the email.

According to a letter submitted to Prof Asif on May 14, the Bangladeshis workers gave between Tk 500,000 and Tk 600,000 to a recruiting agency named Greenland for jobs in Malaysia.

“Before our flights, they forced us to say on camera that we paid only Tk 78,000,” reads the letter.

However, wages have been irregular for the last two years. In some months, the company pays only half or one-third of the salary, it said.

“Our families are now in deep financial crises. Our debts have doubled. In some months, we had to borrow more money from Bangladesh just to afford food here,” it said.

Under such circumstances, they filed a complaint to the Labour Court late last year and then to the Bangladesh High Commission, but got no remedy.

They then contacted a migrant rights activist Andy Hall, who raised the issue with Mediceram and then got the labour issues audited by a third party.

At one point of time, Mediceram agreed to pay wages regularly and repay Malaysian Ringgit (RM) 22,500, which was spent as recruitment fees. It also paid RM 1,000 as an advance, assuring that another RM 875 would be paid on May 31, and the remaining amount would be paid in 12 months.

“But this payment plan is extremely difficult for us and poses a major challenge for our families,” they said in the letter.

They have also requested the company to pay the full recruitment fee in a single installment.

Earlier, Mediceram had deported 35 workers to Bangladesh without any notice. Currently, the work permits of 170 have not been renewed. Some have been without a visa for a year, others for two years. A few months ago, four workers were arrested as they had no valid visas, but the company has not taken any responsibility, the letter says.

“We urge that our visas be renewed within next month and earnestly request you to resolve all these issues,” the letter said.

Prof Asif met these migrants on the Mediceram company premises, advised them to solve any problem through discussion and not do anything that can be harmful for them or the company.

He also provided the email and phone number so that the migrants could directly contact him.

Adviser Asif and his PS Sarower could not be reached over phone for comments yesterday.

Advisor Asif Nazrul with Mediceram workers on 14th May 2025 at Mediceram

—

FMT 15th May 2025: Bangladeshi foreign workers in alleged situation of forced labour threaten to go on strike again at mould-making plant Mediceram

Sean Augustin

Activist Andy Hall says the Bangladeshis are unhappy that one of their colleagues’ working visa has been cancelled.

PETALING JAYA:

Sourced from: https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2025/05/15/foreign-workers-threaten-to-go-on-strike-again-at-mould-making-plant

Bangladeshi workers employed by a ceramic former and specialist gloves mould manufacturer have threatened to go on strike for a second time tomorrow after one of their colleagues allegedly had his work visa cancelled.

Migrant worker rights activist Andy Hall said the workers at the factory alleged that the worker had been singled out today by the company for being a ringleader in highlighting non-payment of wages and other grievances in the past.

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Daily Star 15th May 2025: Migration – ‘Contact me if you face any trouble’ – Asif Nazrul tells Mediceram migrant workers in Malaysia

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In March, FMT reported that some 190 Bangladeshi workers at the factory, based in a southern state, had gone without pay for three months or payment for overtime work for five months.

Hall had also said then that the workers were in debt bondage after paying exorbitant recruitment fees and costs in the hope of finding jobs in Malaysia.

The group also claimed that they had been inconsistently paid since 2023 and alleged that they were being put up in poor living conditions and not allowed to keep their passports while their work visas had also expired.

Contacted today, Hall said he was puzzled as to why the company would cancel the visa of the worker, with the man’s colleagues claiming it was unjust.

Hall said he was also at a loss over the company’s action when it had agreed to several demands by the foreign labourers in recent months to get them to return to work after a prolonged strike.

“Apart from agreeing to pay the back wages, the company provided an improved hostel, and the workers were happy with the living conditions.

“It seemed that some issues had been resolved amicably, so this decision to cancel an alleged whistleblower’s visa came as a surprise to me,” he said.

He hoped that the company would take the allegation of whistleblower intimidation seriously and investigate the claims.

He also defended the whistleblower, saying he played an important role in highlighting the alleged abuses and did so out of desperation.

He said the employee was not trying to be a “trouble maker”.

Following a third party audit at the factory as a result of the complaints by Hall and the workers in late April, the company offered all of the workers RM22,500 each over 12 months as repayment for their recruitment fees and costs paid to secure work at the company.

The workers’ back wages were also promptly cleared.

In a message to Hall, a representative of the company denied claims that they had cancelled the worker’s visa, saying it was a clerical error, and labelled such allegations as “misinformation”.

“There is no retaliation (towards the worker),” the representative said.

FMT has sought comments from the company and is withholding its identity pending a response.

—

Daily Star 15th May 2025: Migration – ‘Contact me if you face any trouble’ – Asif Nazrul tells Mediceram migrant workers in Malaysia

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FMT 28th Mar 2025: Glove maker YTY says Malaysian ceramic mould supplier Mediceram may be involved in forced labour practices

PETALING JAYA: Rubber glove maker YTY Group today said one of its Malaysia-based ceramic mould suppliers may be involved in “systemic” forced labour practices. In a statement on its company website, the group said a preliminary engagement with the said supplier, whose identity is being withheld, after recent allegations came to light, “suggests there have been instances of forced labour lapses”.

Original Source: FMT Reporters – 28 March 2025 

YTY Group says it will engage with the company to determine why these lapses occurred, and when and how it will remedy them.

Such incidents occurred despite documentation provided that indicated compliance by the said supplier, the company said.

“While we are disappointed to learn of this, our focus at this time is to constructively engage with the company to determine why these lapses occurred, and what the timeline and path to remediation will be,” it said.

YTY Group said its preferred approach when dealing with such allegations was to engage with the supplier in question as they seek to regain compliance, rather than reactively cancelling current or future purchase contracts.

It said such a measure ensured ongoing employment and continued compensation for the affected employees.

“By the same token, if we do not see positive intent, and dedicated effort on the part of the supplier to address forced labour concerns in a reasonable timeframe, we will not hesitate to conclude our relationship with them,” it said.

Earlier this month, FMT reported migrant worker rights activist Andy Hall as claiming that close to 200 Bangladeshi workers employed by the same ceramic former and specialist gloves mould manufacturer had gone without pay for three months.

Hall had claimed that payment for overtime work for the past five months was outstanding, and the workers were not allowed to keep their passports and were being put up in poor living conditions.

He also said the workers, based in a southern state, claimed that they had been inconsistently paid since 2023 and were in severe debt after paying exorbitant recruitment related costs in the hope of finding jobs in Malaysia in 2017, 2018 and 2023.

About 130 workers from the group were reported to have filed a formal complaint against the company at a labour department in early March, which remains outstanding.

Contacted today, Hall said that while the workers have reported improvements in their working conditions since their complaints came to light, they remained in considerable debt bondage while still living in poor housing conditions.

He also said the majority of the workers had still not got back their passports.

“Debt bondage and confiscation of personal documents are both serious ILO indicators of forced labour or modern slavery,” he said.

“This supplier must, therefore, urgently reimburse the workers their recruitment fees and costs, estimated to be about RM17,000 per person, to take them out of debt, and also return their passports.”

Hall said if the supplier was not in a healthy financial situation, it should request support from its well-known Malaysian and international customers to complete the reimbursement process without further delay.

28th Mar 2025: YTY Gloves Group Statement on Mediceram (Malaysian Ceramics Glove Former Supplier) Forced Labour Allegations 

Original Source: HERE – Friday, March 28, 2025

YTY has recently been made aware of allegations of certain instances of systemic forced labor at a supplier of ours, Mediceram Sdn. Bhd. (“Mediceram”), who is a manufacturer of ceramic formers, the type used in the production of single-use gloves.

YTY adopts a strict policy of ensuring that the suppliers we engage with are committed to sound employment practices. These practices include enhancing corporate governance standards, improving workplace safety, implementing a sustainability roadmap, and adopting best-in-class labor practices that include treating employees with fairness, dignity, and respect.

Our relationship with Mediceram is a recently formed one, evidenced by our first commercial orders delivering in December 2024. In 2024, Mediceram comprised less than 0.5% of our total supplier spend, making them a very small part of our supply chain.

Irrespective of the size of the relationship, every supplier is required to conform to YTY’s Supplier Code of Conduct, which highlights in detail elevated standards of professional conduct that are aligned with those set by leading agencies in this space, such as the International Labor Organization (ILO), the United Nations (UN), Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP), and SEDEX, to name but a few. These standards include, identify, and extensively focus on forced labor risks.

Prior to our commercial engagement, Mediceram reviewed and voluntarily, but unequivocally, confirmed compliance with YTY’s Supplier Code of Conduct.

As an additional precautionary measure, prior to our commercial engagement, YTY conducted a risk assessment survey, whereby specific corporate policies, practices, and protocols were reviewed to determine Mediceram’s compliance with forced labor standards, and their general conformance to the high standards of professional conduct we expect of suppliers joining our network.

Based on the documentation provided by Mediceram at that time, they were deemed to be in compliance.

In short, a number of credible steps were taken by YTY prior to establishing a commercial relationship to conduct reasonable due diligence and gain comfort with the fact that Mediceram was in compliance with forced labor regulations, and operated with acceptable employment practices.

Furthermore, an additional, and more in-depth, assessment in the form of an on-site audit was planned for later this year as the size and scale of the relationship was expected to grow.

Our preliminary engagement with Mediceram after being made aware of the recent allegations suggests there have been instances of forced labor lapses, despite documentation provided to us at that time which indicated compliance. While we are disappointed to learn of this, our focus at this time is to constructively engage with Mediceram to determine why these lapses occurred, and what the timeline and path to remediation will be.

YTY remains committed to ensuring we maintain long-term supply relations with partners who are fully able to meet the high professional standards we set for them, which are in line with those we set for ourselves. At the same time, in situations like this, our preferred approach remains to engage with the supplier in question as they seek to regain compliance, rather than reactively cancelling current or future purchase contracts. This ensures ongoing employment and continued compensation for the affected employees.

By the same token, if we do not see positive intent, and dedicated effort, on the part of the supplier to address forced labor concerns in a reasonable timeframe, we will not hesitate to conclude our relationship with them.

FMT 8th Mar 2025: Workers at glove mould-making plant in Malaysia, supplying leading domestic and international gloves companies, not paid for 3 months, claims activist (another alleged Malaysian modern slavery related case)

FMT 8th Mar 2025: Workers at glove mould-making plant in Malaysia, supplying leading domestic and international gloves companies, not paid for 3 months, claims activist (another alleged Malaysian modern slavery related case)

Alysha Edward

08 Mar 2025

Andy Hall says about 190 Bangladeshis have been left in debt and struggling to pay off their recruitment fees.The workers are employed by a ceramic former and specialist gloves mould manufacturer (Bernama pic)

Sourced from: https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2025/03/08/workers-at-mould-making-plant-not-paid-for-3-months-claims-activist/

PETALING JAYA: Close to 200 Bangladeshi workers employed by a ceramic former and specialist gloves mould manufacturer have gone without pay for three months, a migrant worker rights activist has claimed.

Andy Hall said based on information gathered by a team member helping the workers claim their rights, some 190 of them have not received their basic pay for three months or payment for overtime work for the past five months (nb. length of overtime non payment remains in dispute).

The workers are also in debt after paying exorbitant recruitment fees in the hope of finding jobs in Malaysia, he said.

Hall said the group, based in a southern state, also claimed that they have been inconsistently paid since 2023.Management memo issued on 5th March 2025, but company has now said back wages will be settled by end of March 2025

They also alleged that they are being put up in poor living conditions and are not allowed to keep their passports.

FMT is withholding the name of the company pending its response.Workers demands as submitted to JTK Negeri Sembilan on 6th Mar 2025. The workers have stated they will not return to work until their back wages are fully paid 

“This inconsistent payment of wages has forced the workers to take loans from banks or borrow money from relatives to pay off their recruitment fees, which are about RM25,000.Mediceram original response to workers demand on 18th March 2025

“Now, they are struggling to settle these bank loans, and the interest is increasing,” Hall said.

However, he said local and international buyers of the company’s moulds that he has engaged with in the past few days have helped to address the situation, and the company has agreed to settle the outstanding salaries by the end of this month.Company memo of 7th Mar 2025 outlining the return process for 88 affected workers’ passports 

About 50 workers from the group were reported to have filed a complaint against the company at the labour department yesterday.

Hall said companies supplying moulds to leading local and international glove manufacturers should be investigated if they are employing forced labour.

“Each major glove company uses millions of moulds every year, so there is a need to ask for evidence of the conditions under which these moulds are made,” he said.

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

26th Feb 2023: Malaysian glovemakers must show ‘no forced labour’ to sell to UK’s National Health Service.

August 18 2022: Migrant workers at Malaysian glove maker Brightway Holdings file US lawsuit against Kimberly-Clark Corp & Ansell, accusing them of “knowingly profiting” from alleged use of forced labour

August 12 2022: Full case submission now available online for the former Brightway Gloves (Malaysia) Bangladeshi workers US court case claims related to forced labour against Ansell and Kimberly Clark Corporation (KCC)

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 

The post ABC News: 11th Sept 2025: Australian glove-maker Ansell accused of exploiting workers at Malaysian factory of supplier, MediCeram appeared first on Andy Hall.

Andy Hall, independent migrant worker rights specialist (andy@andyjhall.org)

Rahman, Bangladesh migration researcher 

Bangladeshi migrants are heroes, contributing to their nation’s economy through remittances and to countries like Malaysia through hard work and skills. The Bangladesh to Malaysia migration corridor remains the most economically significant and controversial one for both countries. 

Yet Bangladeshi workers face gross exploitation, including debt bondage and modern slavery, migrating to and working in Malaysia. 

UN experts in 2024 raised concerns about more than 500,000 of these workers promised meaningful employment but instead facing abuse at the hands of recruitment intermediaries, bogus employers, corrupt officials and failed migration management systems of both countries concerned. 

SCMP 12th Aug 2025: Malaysia-Bangladesh labour migration talks resume amid job scam fears

Malaysia placed a freeze on hiring last year after thousands of Bangladeshi workers were left stranded and exploited by recruitment scams

Original Source: SCMP by Joseph Sipalan and Hadi Azmi – 12th August 2025

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This flawed recruitment system between Bangladesh and Malaysia has involved only a few recruitment agencies, raising assumptions of corruption and impunity that undermine fair competition. 

The migration management system involving FWCMS  and Bestinet utilized for migration from Bangladesh to Malaysia is accused of non-transparent behaviour and essentially trading in human misery.  

Apart from violations of competition and anti-corruption laws, hard to prove without evidence of informal money transfers across borders, suffering of the workers facing extortionate costs and abuse is undeniable.

Workers’ migration costs generally range from 450,000 to 550,000 BDT against a legal limit of 78, 990 BDT. For impoverished villagers, this results in acute debt bondage. 

Property is mortgaged or sold, children’s education is sacrificed, health care lost. Lives destroyed. 

Recruitment intermediaries, bogus employers and corrupt officials are involved in a criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi workers with false job promises for forced labour and modern slavery in Malaysia, using a migration management system that is shrouded in controversy and abuse. 

Once these workers arrive in Malaysia, they often become unemployed and fall into absolute destitution. Many employers are bogus and promised jobs non-existent. Workers become trapped in a living hell. 

Debt bondage, document confiscation, restricted freedom of movement, poor housing and limited access to healthcare and food. Many overstay visas and run away to change employers risking arrest, deportation and extortion by corrupt officials once they escape oppressors and protectors. Violence, persecution and powerlessness. 

Yet all the time, criminals continue to profit from this inhumane and rotten recruitment scheme. 

Due to widespread and repeated malpractices, migration from Bangladesh to Malaysia has been halted four times in 10 years, most recently last year. Around 20,000 workers were left stranded in Dhaka in 2024 when the migration corridor most recently descended into chaos. Only recently they were belatedly offered jobs in a Malaysian construction sector known to abuse. 

This labour migration corridor has always been under intense media scrutiny. We pushed the UN complaint to internationalize this issue further in 2024. 

There have also been investigations involving Interpol and the Bangladeshi and Malaysian Anti-Corruption commission against masterminds allegedly behind this scam. But still no signs of accountability or justice.

Disappointingly, as administrations change in both countries, the persistence of this flawed recruitment process outlives the leaders. This raises concern if those behind it are even more powerful than those meant to regulate it. 

Malaysia’s migration management system is often held up to criticism. Systematically corrupt and allowing impunity, the rule of law has long been undermined.  Concern is now even rising of abuses in the Nepal Malaysia migration coridoor too. 

Bangladesh’s major political parties also fail to address its broken recruitment and migration management systems that breed exploitation with little prioritization of migrant rights in their reform agendas and government budgets. 

Neither BNP’s 31-point proposal nor Jamaat-e-Islami’s 41-point plan demonstrate a strong commitment to addressing the needs of migrants but rather lack of political will to safeguard their rights. 

Stubbornly, recruitment costs paid by Bangladeshis remain some of the highest in the world.

Local media reports on two high level meetings between Bangladesh and Malaysia held in Dhaka and KL in May to discuss reopening this migration corridor suggest tragic lessons learnt from the abuse of millions of Bangladeshis in Malaysia in the past decade may still not have been fully acknowledged and acted on.

The media has reported the interim Bangladeshi administration has responded to Malaysia’s recent request to withdraw accusations and stop investigations into the Malaysia recruitment corridor by stating Malaysia was not involved in misconduct or ill-treatment. 

This misguided approach to reopening an abusive migration corridor tramples on the voices of millions of exploited workers. 

Halting investigations into an illicit recruitment system between Malaysia and Bangladesh, or claiming no one is culpable when there is just so much evidence of the harm done is cruelly denying the abuse, preventing accountability and undermining the rule of law. 

This approach only reinforces the Bangladeshi and Malaysian states’ decades old failure to protect migrant rights and reform their broken recruitment systems. It prevents the pursuit of justice and is an affront to human dignity.

The existing MoU on migration between the two nations allows for workers’ exploitation, funneling illicit profits to masterminds and undermining the rule of law. Key parts of the text should be changed. 

Instead of getting to the root cause of the problems, which lies with corruption and human cruelty, both governments appear instead to be disconnected from human suffering. They perhaps overlook exploitation or conceal abuses to save face yet ignore joint national, economic and human security interests.

Both governments will fail millions of victims of this persistently abusive migration corridor if they don’t reform it and surrender again, in the interests of political expediency, to trafficking of Bangladeshis for forced labour. 

UN organizations should again raise these concerns to both governments, as they did in early 2024. Diplomats and global supply chain actors whose operations are deeply entwined with this migration corridor should be speaking out too.

If today’s meeting between Anwar Ibrahim and Muhammad Yunus in Putrajaya, Malaysia results in abusive migration management systems winning out again between Bangladesh and Malaysia, casting basic human rights aside, it puts millions more Bangladeshis at risk of modern slavery through shameful indictment of a rotten system that refuses to change and which we all have failed to expose and regulate.

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Business Standard 15th August 2025: Bangladesh, Malaysia have agreed to establish transparent recruitment system for workers – Bangladesh Chief Advisor Yunus

Bernama 14th August 2025: Bangladesh, Malaysia push for transparent hiring of workers (Bangla version here)

Daily Star 14th Aug 2025: Chief Advisor’s Malaysia Tour Boosts Dhaka KL Ties But Migrant Worker Issues Sidelines

Daily Star 12th August 2025: Human trafficking charges – CID clears ex-minister, secy after KL’s request

Daily Star 12th Aug 2025: Migration rights groups alarmed over possible clearing of Malaysia recruitment syndicate suspects

August 12th 2025 Bangla Tribune: Bangladesh Civil Society for Migrants (BCSM) demands open and transparent sending of workers to Malaysia

Malaysiakini 11th August 2025: Alleged members of Bangladeshi workers’ syndicate may walk: Report

Business Standard 10th August 2025: As Anwar and Yunus meet in Malaysia today, recruitment syndicate actors cleared of misconduct, news report suggests – Malaysia labour ‘syndicate’: Lotus Kamal’s family, 3 ex-AL MPs cleared of exploitation charges

Business Standard 1st August 2025: Malaysia to hire workers who missed last year’s deadline in construction, traditional sectors: Bangladesh mission in KL

Malaysiakini 31 July 2025 – ‘Source: Bangladesh to stop probing migrant workers’ exploitation syndicate’

Sourced from: Malaysiakini – by B Nantha Kumar – July 31, 2025

Bangladesh has agreed to stop its investigation over allegations of a syndicate exploiting its labourers who wish to work in Malaysia, a high-ranking official from the Bangladeshi government told Malaysiakini.

The official, who requested anonymity, claimed the decision was made during a meeting in Kuala Lumpur two weeks ago between representatives from the Bangladeshi government and the Malaysian Human Resources Ministry.

“Two officials – a special envoy and a special assistant – to the chief adviser to the Bangladeshi government visited Malaysia two weeks ago and held a meeting with the ministry officials.

“In the meeting, the Bangladeshi representatives agreed to discontinue the investigations so that Malaysia can resume recruiting Bangladeshi workers,” the official said

While other Human Resources Ministry officials contacted by Malaysiakini confirmed the matter, the ministry’s official spokesperson denied it.

“No such meeting happened two weeks ago,” the official spokesperson said briefly without elaborating.

Earlier, Malaysiakini was informed that the meeting was held after the Malaysian government sent a letter to Bangladesh, calling for the investigations to be halted, claiming it was baseless.

The letter, dated April 23, 2025, was sent by a senior Human Resources Ministry official to a fellow senior official of the Bangladeshi Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry.

While the Malaysian government urged its Bangladeshi counterpart to address claims of exploitation of its citizens who wanted to work in Malaysia between 2022 and 2024, it mentioned that most of the allegations involving human trafficking and money laundering were baseless and damaging to Malaysia’s reputation.

“Plus, we urge you to stop reinvestigating cases that had been dropped before this through formal mechanisms.

“This is to ensure Malaysia is able to preserve and improve our Trafficking in Persons ratings by showing our commitment to ethical recruitment processes,” the letter reads.

Malaysiakini has contacted the Human Resources Ministry official who sent the letter for comments.

Bangladesh nabs minister

On Oct 21, 2024, the Bangladeshi police arrested former minister Imran Ahmed over a massive investigation involving migrant workers’ recruitment to Malaysia, reported The Business Standard.

Dhaka’s additional deputy commissioner Obaidur Rahman confirmed the arrest but refused to elaborate on the reasons.

Last September, the same daily reported that a workers’ recruitment agency owner had lodged a police report against 103 individuals, including Imran, alleging they were involved in the syndicate.

Former Bangladesh minister Imran Ahmed

The report refers to human trafficking and abuse of power involved in the process of sending workers to Malaysia, using the agencies chosen through the memorandum of understanding signed between both nations on Dec 19, 2021.

Over 480,000 Bangladeshi workers entered Malaysia between 2022 and 2024 through the approved agencies.

However, several local and Bangladeshi NGOs alleged that despite being promised jobs, some get stranded in Malaysia without employment, are debt-ridden, and risk being arrested by Malaysian authorities.

Many claim to have been cheated with promises of jobs, despite having paid up to RM25,000 in fees, usually after taking loans.

Kathmandu Post 8th June 2025: Nepal Malaysia migration corridor – Attempts to impose a total employment syndicate from Nepal to Malaysia have raised concerns (My Op Ed)

In 2023, more than 220,000 Nepalis went to Malaysia, the most popular destination for workers seeking income. Although Malaysia is an ‘attractive’ destination for Nepali citizens, most suffer gross exploitation in reality when migrating to and working in the country. High recruitment costs and related debt bondage, false terms of employment, and dangerous, dirty and demeaning jobs. Fake employers acting as outsourcing agents treat workers like cattle or leave them at risk of arrest, extortion and deportation. 

Attempts to impose a total employment syndicate from Nepal to Malaysia have raised concerns.

Original Source: Kathamandu Post – Published: June 8, 2025 – Andy Hall & Dhurba Mijar

Nepalis in Malaysia also experience ineffective grievance mechanisms and dire consular assistance from the Nepali Embassy, in addition to passport confiscation, limited freedom of movement, violence and even death. Security guards, a job assigned exclusively to Nepali foreign workers, face some of the worst exploitation, ranging from excessive, compulsory overtime, no day off, irregular salary payment and deductions, poor housing, to lack of access to healthcare. 

Most recently, from 2022 to 2024, the Bangladesh–Malaysia migration corridor was completely controlled by a syndicatethat led to the trafficking of Bangladeshi workers for forced labour in the country. The UN condemned this abuse in multiple statements, as workers shouldered debts of $5,000 and destitution once they arrived in Malaysia at non-existent jobs. Recruitment, travel, visa and medical check agencies were all selected to be part of the exclusive syndicate, which saw most business actors shut out.

Similarly, some syndicates have allegedly existed in Nepal’s migration processes to Malaysia for medical, visa, or security. However, migration costs from Nepal to Malaysia are lower than those from Bangladesh, and the entire recruitment system has never been syndicated. The number of agencies processing workers for migration to Malaysia was never restricted. However, similar efforts to impose a total syndicate from Nepal to Malaysia, like those in Bangladesh, have recently sparked accusations and denials. 

The Malaysian migration system is rotten. It is plagued by systemic corruption, impunity and a lack of the rule of law. There is also an absence of a long-term migration policy that equally prioritises national, economic and human security. But the recently exposed Bhutanese refugee scam and the fake visit visa scandal have revealed widespread abuse of power in Nepal, too. Nepalis are trafficked into debt and forced labour across the world, and the ministers seem increasingly complicit in this. 

Malaysia is a relatively developed country reliant on migrant labour-intensive global supply chains. It exports products made using foreign labour, such as palm oil, garments, electronics and furniture. Malaysia is obliged, at least on paper, to adhere to international Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) frameworks. Any form of syndicate when recruiting workers into its global supply chains that increases recruitment costs, forced labour and debt bondage risks, and dilutes transparency and fair competition raises questions about its commitment to ESG principles.

Migrant debt bondage due to exorbitant recruitment costs resulted in the US Customs and Border Protection placing a forced labour import ban on several prominent Malaysian companies from 2020 onwards. These companies paidmillions to workers, with the highest amount to those from Bangladesh, as reimbursement for recruitment costs to victims of abuse to clear their names.

If a total syndicate is implemented to tightly control who can process workers for migration within the Nepal-Malaysia migration corridor, it will lead to cronyism, processing delays and higher costs. Political coalitions in the country could also disintegrate over corruption controversies. This would not only affect the Nepali government and its workers, but also responsible Malaysian employers. 

Despite significant implementation weaknesses, Nepal’s lower-cost recruitment policies attracted responsible Malaysian companies to hire Nepalis rather than Bangladeshis until May 2024, when all recruitment was suspended due to systemic irregularities and abuse. However, if a syndicate is implemented for Nepal, decent companies in Malaysia will shun recruiting Nepalis for alternatives where syndicates are not active.

This would leave Nepalis migrating to Malaysia only for jobs in sectors that do not prioritise worker welfare and are not linked to global supply chains, such as security, cleaning, local restaurants, construction and local manufacturing. The syndicate will burden Nepalis financially, ensuring higher recruitment costs whilst profiting corrupt actors. Illegal transactions of laundered cash to pay the demanded illicit commission in Malaysia would rise, affecting the national economy and raising questions about commitments to financial governance. 

International efforts to develop a responsible recruitment framework focused on Malaysia’s migration corridor were most successful in Nepal. If a recruitment syndicate is implemented, these achievements will be lost, and Nepalis will face a sad situation similar to that of Bangladeshis.

Discussions are underway about only letting a few manpower agencies participate in a syndicate. This means others will be excluded from Malaysia’s labour market, forced to lay off staff or close. This would violate Nepal’s Constitution and the Competition Promotion and Market Protection Act of 2007, guaranteeing citizens the right to sell goods and services fairly and competitively. Any syndicate could and would be challenged in the Supreme Court.

However, it is necessary to end unhealthy competition and corrupt practices of most manpower agencies in Nepal, such as paying higher commissions to secure manpower demands over competitors at any cost to workers or Malaysian agents or employers.

The 2018 MoU signed between Nepal and Malaysia concerning recruitment, employment and repatriation of Nepali workers helped slightly to promote dignified labour migration. However, both governments’ lack of concern in reviewing the agreement, which expired last year, raises doubts about their commitment to worker welfare.

Despite the necessity of discussions on improving the welfare of workers migrating from countries like Nepal and Bangladesh to Malaysia, we are forced to focus on preventing monopolistic practices that threaten workers’ most basic rights.

Any non-transparent monopoly in Nepal’s migrant worker recruitment processes will harm the country’s remittance-dependent economy. If everyone remains silent as recruitment syndicates develop, the exploitation of Nepalese will deepen.

Nepal’s recruitment industry should engage the government to develop more responsible recruitment systems for Malaysian and other key destination countries for Nepali workers. The government of Nepal should also ensure its cabinet ministers do not sign unfair agreements and instead take the lead in building collective efforts with other migrant source countries, like Bangladesh, to stand against the bullying tactics of corrupt groups—both in Malaysia and Nepal—that may be seeking to expand a recruitment syndicate.

Nepal should strengthen ethical recruitment processes to impose upon destination countries that are desperate for loyal and hard-working Nepali nationals. Similarly, Malaysia, in coordination with countries like Nepal, must reform its rotten migration management systems and prioritise on worker welfare, ensuring transparency, and fulfil its obligations as a developed nation to stop the spread of exploitation, impunity and a lack of rule of law into recruitment experiences of the region’s most vulnerable migrant workers.

Andy Hall

Hall is an independent migrant worker rights specialist.

Dhurba Mijar

Mijar is the director and founder of Migration Dristi.

Malaysiakini 7th June 2025: Duped, deported, and in debt: Nepal’s migrant worker trap

Sourced from: Malaysiakini by Ramu Sapkota – June 7, 2025

Two years after this deal was inked, details emerged alleging that Khadka had extorted up to NPR5 million per institution that wanted to be on the biometric medical testing panel. #nepalimigrant #malaysia #labourmigration #Corruption #medicalreports #Biometrics #nepali

Supported by the Pulitzer Center
Additional Reporting Gopal Dahal

Kantipur 8th Jan 2025: Visit visa issue – need for an integrated immigration policy

TBS 23rd May 2025: Malaysia to reopen labour market to Bangaldeshi migrants, syndicate stays but may expand agency list – ‘major modern slavery risk continues: my response’

My response, attributed to Andy Hall, independent, migrant, worker rights specialist (23rd May 2025): ‘The continuation of a widely condemned, non transparent and corrupted recruitment process between Bangladesh and Malaysia would likely ensure that an alleged criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi workers for forced labour in Malaysia continues to firmly control this high risk migration corridor. Ethical, decent Malaysian employers producing compliance sensitive products for global supply chains will not hire Bangladeshi workers through a recruitment syndicate that continues to see these vulnerable workers yet again paying extortionate recruitment fees, and that breeds impunity and systemic corruption. The risks of modern slavery are too high for such decent employers. Bangladesh, its people and its remittance potential will suffer severely from a recruitment syndicate system that ensures Bangladesh workers only secure the worst and least paid, most dirty, dangerous and demeaning jobs in Malaysia. A corrupted migration corridor between Bangladesh and Malaysia is clearly systemic of a rotten migration management system in Malaysia that undermines the rule of law and encourages criminal cartels to operate with impunity. Meanwhile, this concerning outcome is emblematic of the failures of a weak and likewise corrupted Bangladeshi state to protect its vulnerable migrant workers from unethical recruitment practices and that continues to see Bangladeshi citizens traveling for low paid work overseas in acute debt bondage, paying the highest recruitment related fees and costs seen anywhere in the world.’

Sourced from: TBS News – 23rd May 2025

According to sources at the expatriates’ welfare ministry, the Malaysian delegation – led by Deputy Secretary-General of the Ministry of Human Resources M Shahrin bin Omar – remained firm on continuing the syndicated recruitment system, under which a limited number of Bangladeshi agencies are authorised to send workers 

Representational image of Malaysia capital Kuala Lumpur. Photo: Collected 

Highlights:

• Malaysia to retain syndicated recruitment system, citing agency management challenges
• Only 101 Bangladeshi agencies authorised, out of 2,500+ registered
• Syndicate linked to corruption; some charged up to Tk6 lakh, official cap Tk79,000
• Malaysia closed the labour market in June 2024 due to corruption, irregularities

After a year-long closure, Malaysia is expected to reopen its labour market to Bangladeshi workers soon following a two-day joint working group meeting between the two countries, which ended in Dhaka on Thursday (22 May).

According to sources at the expatriates’ welfare ministry, the Malaysian delegation – led by Deputy Secretary-General of the Ministry of Human Resources M Shahrin bin Omar – remained firm on continuing the syndicated recruitment system, under which a limited number of Bangladeshi agencies are authorised to send workers.

However, the Malaysian side may expand the current syndicate of 101 recruitment agencies, and those facing legal action over worker exploitation may be dropped, sources said.

Malaysia closed its labour market to Bangladeshi workers in June 2024, citing concerns over corruption and irregularities in the recruitment process.

20th May 2025: BAIRA faction alleged attack during press briefing against Malaysian labour market syndicate

This limited group of agencies, widely known as the syndicate, has been linked to significant corruption, with some charging up to Tk6 lakh to send a worker, while Bangladesh fixed the cost at Tk79,000 in 2022.

An official present at the joint meeting, speaking to TBS on condition of anonymity, said, “Malaysia wants to hire workers through a limited number of agencies as before. However, the number of agencies may increase this time.”

When asked how many more agencies might be added to the current list of 101, he replied, “No final decision has been made on this yet.”

“We strongly raised the issue of amending the clauses of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) previously signed between the two countries. However, the Malaysian side said it would be difficult for them to manage a larger number of agencies. The delegation did not take a final position on the matter — a decision will be made by their cabinet,” the official added.

The meeting also discussed capping migration costs and issuing multiple-entry visas for Bangladeshi workers.

The Bangladesh delegation was led by Neyamat Ullah Bhuiyan, senior secretary of the expatriates’ welfare ministry. A record of the discussion was signed following the meeting.

Meanwhile, a scheduled press conference by Lutfey Siddiqi, special envoy for international affairs to the chief adviser, after yesterday’s GWG meeting was cancelled.

Earlier on Wednesday, following the opening session of the JWG meeting, Lutfey Siddiqu told reporters that the process of sending Bangladeshi workers to Malaysia will be made fully transparent, with no room for irregularities or discrimination.

“In the first phase, around 8,000 workers who had completed all procedures but could not travel due to the closure of the labour market last year will now be sent,” he said, adding that they will be dispatched quickly through Bangladesh Overseas Employment and Services Limited (BOESL) under a government-to-government arrangement.

Siddiqi also noted that due to the large number of recruiting agencies in Bangladesh, the Malaysian government prefers to work with a limited number.

“To ensure transparency, today’s [Wednesday] joint working group meeting will discuss possible amendments to the existing memorandum of understanding,” he said.

He also clarified that Malaysia has not imposed any conditions regarding the reopening of the labour market.

In 2021, Malaysia allowed only 101 Bangladeshi recruitment agencies to send workers, even though the country has over 2,500 registered agencies.

During a visit to Malaysia on 15 May, Expatriates’ Welfare Adviser Asif Nazrul indicated that the market will be reopened for Bangladeshis.

Regarding employment, he said, “We have learned from various sources that Malaysia may take in 1,00,000 to 1,50,000 foreign workers in the next few months. We have been assured by the Malaysian human resources minister that Bangladesh will be given top priority in taking in people. The largest number of people will be taken from Bangladesh.”

Bloomberg EXCLUSIVE 15th May 2025: Malaysia Asks Bangladesh to Withdraw Migrant Labor Probes

Original Source: Bloomberg by Anders Melin – 15 May 2025

The Malaysian government has asked Bangladesh to review and withdraw “unsubstantiated allegations” of wrongdoing in labor migration between the two countries to improve Malaysia’s rating in an annual US report on human trafficking.

“Allegations of human trafficking and money laundering — largely unsubstantiated — have impacted the Malaysian reputation,” Azman Mohd Yusof, secretary-general of the nation’s Ministry of Human Resources, wrote in a letter dated April 23.

Bloomberg News reviewed a copy of the letter, which was sent to Neyamat Ullah Bhuiyan, senior secretary of Bangladesh’s Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment. An official familiar with the letter confirmed its authenticity.

The two governments are in talks to restart recruitment of Bangladeshi workers by Malaysian companies. Malaysia halted all such recruitment a year ago following widespread reports of workers who didn’t get the jobs they were promised despite paying thousands of dollars in fees, drawing criticism from the United Nations. Both Bangladesh’s police and anti-corruption agency have opened investigations into recruitment matters since then.

Azman asked Neyamat to review all pending allegations and withdraw those without merit, to ensure Malaysia “will preserve and enhance” its Trafficking in Persons (TIP) rankings, Azman wrote, referring to the US State Department’s assessment. It ranks countries based on their efforts to acknowledge and fight human trafficking.

“In addition, we request to prevent the revival of dismissed cases through a formal mechanism,” Azman wrote.

Neyamat and Asif Nazrul, who is part of Bangladesh’s cabinet and oversees the Expat Ministry, both declined to comment on the letter. A representative for Malaysia’s HR Ministry didn’t respond to a request for comment. It’s not clear if Bangladesh has responded to the letter.

It was sent just weeks ahead of high-level meetings between Malaysian and Bangladeshi officials to discuss recruitment. Neyamat and Asif are poised to meet Malaysia’s Home Affairs Minister Saifuddin Nasution and Human Resources Minister Steven Sim in Putrajaya on Thursday.

Full story available here

Daily Star 19th May 2025: ‘Job scam’ – 33 Bangladeshis sue Malaysian firm, govt for Tk 4.8cr

FMT 18th May 2025: 33 Bangladeshi migrant workers sue Malaysian recruitment firm, Malaysian govt over job scam from alleged syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi workers for forced labour in Malaysia

16th May 2025 Channel News Asia (CNA): Malaysia to resume recruitment of stranded Bangladeshi workers, vows to protect them from abuse, fraud

16th May 2025: Conditions on manpower export after Amin Noor was indicted – Malaysia calls for withdrawal of all controversial cases against 100 agencies designated by government

FMT 15th May 2025: Bangladesh clears Malaysia of labour abuse claims

Daily Star Editorial 15th May 2025: Don’t let Malaysia recruitment syndicates exploit migrants again – Workers’ rights must be prioritised during bilateral talks

Daily Star 16th May 2025: Malaysia job market – Bangladeshis may be given preference

Star 16th May 2025: Malaysia committed to protecting Bangladeshi workers from exploitation, says Saifuddin

Daily Sun 16th May 2025: Malaysian labour market beckons Bangladeshis again

New Nation 16th May 2025: Malaysia labour market set to reopen

SCMP 15th May 2025: Malaysia, Bangladesh urged to act on labour trafficking before ending migrant worker freeze

‘Thousands’ of Bangladeshis are stranded without jobs in Malaysia after a hiring freeze forced them to overstay illegally, activists say

—

FMT 15th May 2025: Malaysia asks Bangladesh to withdraw migrant labour probes (taken from Bloomberg media) 

Daily Star 15th May 2025: Bangladesh Malaysia agrees to recruit ‘large number’ of Bangladeshi workers

Daily Star 14th May 2025: Bangladeshi migrants in malaysia: Dhaka’s uphill battle to break syndicate chains

The 2 countries begin talks tomorrow 

Porimol Palma, Mohammad Jamil Khan

Wed May 14, 2025

Starting tomorrow, Bangladesh and Malaysia will hold a series of meetings, as the former faces an uphill task of reforming the labour recruitment system long plagued by syndication and corruption.

Sourced from: https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/bangladeshi-migrants-malaysia-dhakas-uphill-battle-break-syndicate-chains-3894026

Expatriates’ Welfare Adviser Asif Nazrul will meet Malaysian Human Resources Minister Steven Sim and Malaysian Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail in Putrajaya tomorrow, according to official documents.

Afterwards, the third official-level joint working group meeting will take place in Dhaka on May 21-22, followed by a meeting between Bangladesh Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in mid-July.

Following the formation of the interim government, Anwar Ibrahim was the first head of a foreign government to visit Bangladesh and meet the chief adviser last October.

The prominent topic of discussions was cooperation on labour recruitment and welfare, alongside other agendas including trade, investment and regional cooperation.ed to Malaysia on 13th May 2025 and on 14th May visited allege forced labour victims at Mediceram Sdn Bhd

Now, as Malaysia prepares to begin fresh labour recruitments, opening the market to Bangladeshis and ensuring migrants’ rights will figure high in the upcoming meetings.

Speaking to The Daily Star yesterday, Sarwoer Alam, deputy secretary of the expatriates’ welfare ministry, said, “Our focus will be on the reopening of the labour market and regularisation of the undocumented Bangladeshis in Malaysia.”

He added that the government will try to open the labour market to all capable recruiting agencies.

According to Malaysian official data, 898,970 Bangladeshis are currently working in Malaysia — the highest number among foreign nationalities after Indonesians and Nepalis. Migrant rights activists in Malaysia say the actual number would be higher if undocumented migrants were counted.

The rights activists reported numerous issues affecting the labour recruitment sector, with many migrants left jobless, unpaid, underpaid, defrauded or trapped in debt.

LABOUR ISSUES PERSIST UNCHECKED

Labour recruitment from Bangladesh to Malaysia has been halted multiple times since formal recruitment began in the 1990s, largely due to powerful lobbies in both countries. The latest instance was in 2022, when Malaysia selected only 101 Bangladeshi agencies to conduct recruitment without clarifying the criteria for selection.

Before halting recruitment in May 2024, Malaysia had recruited nearly 500,000 Bangladeshis. Each of these workers reportedly spent between $4,500 and $6,000 for a job there. Many employers were allegedly fraudulent but managed to secure approval to recruit foreign workers by bribing officials in both countries.

Nepal-based migrant rights activist Andy Hall, who closely follows Malaysia’s labour issues, estimated that around 1-2 lakh Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia were jobless last year.

“By now, some of them might have managed jobs, but there are others who have become jobless,” he told this newspaper.

“We’ve seen many workers unpaid or underpaid. They report to the labour department, but hardly get redress … New recruitment, as being discussed, can definitely happen but what about the ones already jobless and in trouble?” Hall questioned.

An independent migration researcher based in Kuala Lumpur said it is unimaginable how so many Bangladeshis in Malaysia are surviving without jobs or pay, after spending large sums to migrate.

Many workers become undocumented because their employers fail to renew their visas. Others fall into this category because they cannot get their passports renewed on time by the Bangladesh high commission, he said.

“These workers remain indebted and worried for their families. This is a serious level of migrant exploitation,” he told The Daily Star, requesting anonymity for fear of being targeted by agents and authorities.

Meanwhile, the same syndicate of 101 recruiting agencies in Bangladesh is lobbying the interim government to reopen the Malaysian market.

Mohammed Fakhrul Islam, joint secretary general-1 of the Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA), said, “I am not against the reopening of the market, but the question is how will it be reopened, what will be the recruitment system — syndicated or open for all agencies?”

He said corrupt leaders and officials were involved in the syndicate earlier, adding, “Will the interim government that was established to check inequality follow the same path? It will be extremely unfortunate if it does.”

Fakhrul, who regularly campaigns against the syndicate, said Chief Adviser Prof Yunus, who has a good rapport with Malaysian leader Anwar Ibrahim, must work to dismantle the syndicate and help reduce recruitment costs.

Andy Hall said Nepal has always strongly opposed syndicates in Malaysia’s labour recruitment, allowing it to secure a far better deal than Bangladesh.

“I would urge Bangladesh to take a strong position against the syndicate if it wants to improve the lives of the migrants in Malaysia.”

He also said Malaysia must address the issue of jobless migrants before beginning new recruitment. “Those who are unemployed can be recruited into the companies that want new workers,” he suggested.

18,000 WORKERS LIE IN WAIT

During Anwar Ibrahim’s visit last October, a key request made by Bangladesh was for the recruitment of nearly 18,000 Bangladeshis who had already paid Tk 4–5 lakh and obtained visas.

These workers were scheduled to fly to Malaysia by May 31, 2024. However, a ticket shortage — caused by a surge in demand before the deadline — prevented many from travelling.

Some others, despite having tickets, were unable to go as the Malaysian government blacklisted the companies that hired them.

The workers filed complaints with the government and staged several protests, prompting the Bangladesh High Commission in Malaysia to raise the issue with Malaysian authorities.

A joint technical group, comprising representatives from Malaysia’s immigration department and the Bangladesh High Commission, was formed and initially created a list of around 8,000 workers for recruitment. However, the workers have yet to travel.

“This is a priority issue for Bangladesh to discuss and take forward,” a foreign ministry official said.

Regarding the renewed engagement with Malaysia, BAIRA Secretary General Ali Haider Chowdhury said, “It is essential to prioritise the regulations of both governments, safeguard the interests of workers and ensure low-cost migration.”

Daily Sun 15th May 2025: REOPENING OF MALAYSIAN LABOUR MARKET – A new deal or another compromise with syndication?

TBS 14th May 2025: Rights body urges syndicate-free hiring as expatriate adviser visits Malaysia

FMT 14th May 2025: Malaysia-Bangladesh labour talks must address cartel issues, says ex-MP as Bangladeshi Expatriates Advisor Arrives in Malaysia

FMT 7th Apr 2025: Activist warns of syndicate threat to migrant labour reforms in Malaysia

As the government gets ready to reopen the hiring of foreign workers, migrant rights activist Andy Hall claims a recruitment syndicate has been revived.

Sourced from: FMT – 7th April 2025

PETALING JAYA: A migrant worker recruitment syndicate has become active again and may block efforts to reform the hiring of Bangladeshi and Nepali workers when Malaysia reopens the intake of foreign workers, according to a migrant rights activist.

Andy Hall said the syndicate is believed to have some control over the recruitment and management of foreign workers in Malaysia and caused serious problems for Bangladeshi workers between 2022 and 2024.

ProthomAlo 18th April 2025: Bangladesh: Awami League supporters are dropping out, but the ‘Malaysia Circle’ is trying to form again

হোমঅন্যান্য
মালয়েশিয়ায় আবারও সিন্ডিকেটের পাঁয়তারা, সতর্ক করলেন শ্রম অধিকার কর্মী
বাংলা ট্রিবিউন রিপোর্ট
০৭ এপ্রিল ২০২৫, ১৯:০৫ (Syndicates are on the rise again in Malaysia, warns labor rights activist)

—

“Many workers had to pay exorbitant amounts just to come to Malaysia. Some were recruited by fake employers and ended up unemployed, destitute, and trapped in debt bondage,” he told FMT.

In early 2024, several United Nations agencies raised concerns about abuses in the process of recruiting Bangladeshi workers, following formal complaints from Hall.

Malaysia halted all foreign worker recruitment in May last year, although some hiring continued in the plantation and security sectors. The suspension has lasted for 10 months and is expected to be lifted soon.

Hall said a 2021 agreement with Bangladesh needs to be reviewed, while an expired agreement with Nepal also needs to be updated, before the labour market is reopened.

He said problematic clauses must be removed “so as to rid the system of syndicates once and for all”.

Hall said many workers’ lives had been ruined by debt bondage and other abuses through “irresponsible, irregular and unethical recruitment, and impunity for such behaviour”.

He said home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail had stated in January last year that labour agreements with 15 countries would be reviewed, but no new deals have been revealed so far.

He also raised concerns about the continued use of a management system which came under parliamentary criticism for being open to access by unauthorised users.

Several groups and MPs have demanded it to be replaced after claims that the system was used by syndicates to control the recruitment process and raise costs.

In November 2024, Bloomberg reported that Bangladesh had written to Interpol asking for help to extradite people in Malaysia linked to the system who had “fraudulently extorted money from the victims” and subjected them to “physical and mental torture.”

Related stories 

TBS 8th May 2025: Halt Malaysia worker flow if syndicate persists: Labour stakeholders to govt

Bangla News 24 8th 2025: Fraud in manpower export to Malaysia
That dream is still elusive (Bangladeshi Language)

Aliran 8th May 2025: Breaking a 30-year monopoly on Malaysia’s migrant worker medical testing syndicate: Why Fomema should not dominate foreign worker medical screenings in the future – calling for an end to Malaysian foreign worker healthcare/recruitment syndicate

Ratopati 8th May 2025: Foreign employment: Syndicate of manpower professionals in Nepal tries to exclusively send migrant workers to Malaysia (Nepali language) 

Madhyahana Daily 7th May 2025: There Is No Possibility Of Forming A Syndicate In Nepal Malaysian Employment: Nepal Labor Minister Bhandari Statement

SajhaSabal 6th May 2025: Foreign Employment Nepal – Malaysia Employment: Are Recruitment Syndicate Operators in Nepal and Malaysia More Powerful Than the Government? Whose Plan Is This? (Bangladeshi Malaysia like recruitment syndicate fears hit Nepal Malaysia recruitment market) (Nepali Language)

5th May 2025 Daily Star: BAIRA urges govt to reopen Malaysian labour market

5th May 2025 Kalerkantho: Fraud in manpower export to Malaysia – 8 billion taka of workers’ money in Swapan’s pocket

5th May Prothomalo: Bangladesh Memorandum to the Chief Advisor – Demand to open Malaysia’s labor market to all legal agencies

Kalerkantho 1 May, 2025: Swapan-Amin’s luxurious life with workers’ money from Bangladesh/Malaysia migrant worker recruitment scam

Kalerkantho 01 May, 2025: Bangladeshi Workers are living inhumane lives in Bangladesh without getting their money back due to Malaysian recruitment syndicate/scam

30th April 2025 Kalerkantho: Swapan-Amin cycle active again – Fraud in manpower export to Malaysia

5th Nov 2024: Bloomberg – Bangladesh Asks Malaysia to Arrest Businessmen in Migrant Trafficking Case

Police in Bangladesh have asked the government of Malaysia to arrest and extradite two businessmen as part of a probe of alleged money laundering, extortion, and migrant trafficking of workers.

Original Source: Bloomberg by Anders Melin – 5 November 2024 

The men, Aminul Islam and Ruhul Amin, are alleged to have played key roles in a system that “fraudulently extorted money from the victims” and exposed them to “physical and mental torture,” according to the letter dated Oct. 24 that Bangladesh’s branch of Interpol sent to its counterpart in Malaysia.

Bloomberg News reviewed a copy of the letter, which doesn’t say whether the men have been charged. Police Inspector Ashiqur Rahman, who is part of Bangladesh’s Interpol branch, confirmed the contents in a telephone interview on Sunday. A senior Bangladeshi government official, who wasn’t authorized to speak publicly about the matter, also confirmed the letter.

The South Asian nation’s police asked that Malaysia’s government temporarily halt its use of the software provided by Bestinet Sdn., a closely held company that Aminul founded. Malaysian officials have used this software to process and monitor hundreds of thousands of migrant workers from Bangladesh and other countries since at least 2018.

Aminul, who’s commonly known as Amin, was born in Bangladesh and gained Malaysian citizenship more than a decade ago. His lawyer said they had not received any information about the letter and categorically denied the allegations raised in it.

For full article please click here

from https://ceomorningbrief.theedgemalaysia.com/2024/0858/

Additional reading 

Important article by PSM/Rani Rasiah 11th Nov 2024 – Extradition call – Justice in sight for migrant worker recruitment fraud victims?

Daily Star 11th Nov 2024: Dhaka, KL must act to end trafficking

FMT 10th Nov 2024: Govt wants Dhaka to clarify extradition request for duo

FMT 7th Nov 2024: Silence not an option, govt told, as Bangladesh seeks duo’s extradition

Free Malaysia Today 6th Nov 2024: Bestinet founder denies misconduct amid report of extradition

CNA 6th Nov 2024: Bangladesh asks Malaysia to arrest and extradite 2 businessmen over alleged migrant worker trafficking and extortion

Related:

Commentary: Anwar faces political tricky situation in tackling migrant labour issues

Corruption crackdown in Bangladesh sends tremors through Malaysia’s migrant labour ecosystem

Malaysia’s bid to revamp hiring of foreign workers faces pushback; activists say country’s reputation at stake

6th Nov 2024: Malaysiakini – Amid extradition call, Bestinet founder denies money laundering claim

Malaysiakini 5th Nov 2024: Bangladesh wants M’sia to extradite Bestinet founder, associate

See also as background – HERE

Additional Reading:

UCA News 7th Oct 2024: Ending Bangladeshi workers’ Malaysian plight is a test for their leaders

Daily Star 6th Oct 2024: Anwar ibrahim’s visit: A chance to root out graft from labour hiring

SCMP 5th Oct 2024: Malaysia must slash fees, smash cartels to reopen Bangladesh labour market – rights groups

5th Oct 2024: Benar News – Malaysia’s PM Anwar promises Bangladeshi migrant workers will be treated fairly

Reuters Oct 4th 2024: Malaysia PM Anwar Ibrahim to visit Bangladesh, focus on labour issues

Benar News Oct 4th 2024: PM pledges priority for Bangladesh migrant workers who missed out

Daily Star Oct 5th 2024: Diplomacy – Malaysia entry debacle – Anwar Ibrahim to consider issue of Bangladeshi workers

Daily Star Oct 5th 2024: Amending MoU on Malaysia-bound Bangladeshi workers can bring a sea change

Daily Star 5th Oct 2024: 
Labour Export – President seeks support from Malaysia

New Age Oct 5th 2024: Malaysian PM pledges new entry of 18,000 migrant workers from Bangladesh

Background Reading:

20th Sept 2024: Prothmalo – Aminul and Ruhul Amin involved in alleged migrant worker syndicate money ‘laundering’ to Malaysia

20th Sept 2024: Scoop – MACC’s Bestinet probe is ‘NFA’, no proof of other money-laundering claims: Azam Baki

20th Sept 2024: Malaysiakini – Bestinet denies money laundering allegations

Daily Star Sept 7th 2024: Dismantling the recruitment syndicate for Malaysian labour market

FMT 7th July 2024: Use independent experts for migrant system audit, says anti-graft group

MALAYSIAKINI 6th July 2024 C4CENTER COMMENT: Massive migrant labour recruiting issues, cops must probe

NST 6th July 2024: Probe foreign labour recruitment misgovernance highlighted by PAC, govt urged

FMT 6th July 2024: Anti-corruption watchdog demands action over govt-Bestinet deal

Malay Mail 6th July 2024: Home minister says will review PAC criticism over migrant worker system launched without contract

6th July 2024: Migration to Malaysia – Money of all workers who failed to depart as part of alleged criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi workers for forced labour in Malaysia to be refunded

Star 5th July 2024: Mutual termination clause in Bestinet contract puts Putrajaya in ‘challenging position’, says Public Accounts Committee report

4th July 2024 BSS News – Expatriates Minister Shofiqur directs returning money to workers who failed to go to Malaysia

4th July 2024 New Age – Bangladeshi Agencies must refund workers unable to go to Malaysia by July 18: ministry

FMT 4th July 2024: Govt urged to heed PAC’s call on migrant worker system

Star 4th July 2024: Human Resources Ministry to conduct internal audit

Star 4th July 2024: PAC uncovers serious flaws

FMT 3rd July 2024: Decide quickly on direction of migrant worker system in Malaysia, Public Accounts Committee tells govt

Vibes 3rd July 2024: Foreign worker management system operating 6 years without a contract 

3rd July 2024: The Edge – Public Accounts Committee chastises govt for running foreign worker recruitment system for six years without contract

Malaysiakini 3rd July 2024: BESTINET Probe – Public Accounts Committee chief says ‘Datuk Amin’ not among witnesses

3rd July 2024: The Star – Bestinet told Public Accounts Committee unauthorised users were approved by HR Ministry personnel, report shows

FMT 2nd July 2024: Tenaganita letter to Editor – TIP upgrade no cause for celebration just yet

30th June 2024: Somoy News – Bangladeshi High Court orders disclosure of action on Malaysia migrant worker scam (with 500,000+ victims) in 7 days

Malay Mail 25th June 2024: Home minister sees good things for Malaysian businesses after upgrade to US trafficking ranking

The Star 25th June 2024: Malaysia will strive to reach Tier 1 in Trafficking In Persons report, says Saifuddin

Scoop 25th June 2024: Nation’s improved Tier 2 human trafficking ranking ‘dangerously misleading’, says activist

See also MALAYSIAKINI 25th June 2024: M’sia doesn’t deserve Tier 2 in US human trafficking ranking – activist

Daily Star 26th June 2024: Rights activists criticise Malaysia’s improved ranking

See also Benar News 24th June 2024: Malaysia advances in US State Dept’s world rankings for anti-human trafficking efforts

See also FMT 24th June 2024: Malaysia upgraded to Tier 2 in US human trafficking report

See also Benarma 25th June 2024: Malaysia upgraded to Tier 2 in U.S. TIP Report

See also Focus Malaysia 25th June 2024: Migrant workers’ activist – Malaysia doesn’t deserve Tier 2 upgrade in 2024 US human trafficking report

See also 25th June 2024: Home Ministry welcomes country’s Tier 2 upgrade on Trafficking in Persons 2024 report

See also FMT 25th June 2024: Home ministry open to working with NGOs against human trafficking

See also Star 25th June 2024: Malaysia upgraded to Tier 2 in latest Trafficking in Persons report

SCMP 25th June 2024: Malaysia’s upgrade in US human trafficking index decried as ‘disappointing’ amid migrant worker woes

24th June 2024 Exclusive Analysis: CNA – Extension of Malaysia’s controversial migrant labour ecosystem (involving BESTINET) a blow to PM Anwar’s reform agenda 

See New Strait Times 24th June 2024: Malaysian Government Forms Committee to Review Terms of Bestinet’s 3 Year Extension

FMT 24th June 2024: Bestinet contract extended, confirms Saifuddin – ‘Home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail says the Cabinet decided in principle on the extension ‘several weeks ago’.

Malay Mail 24th June 2024: Home Minister – Bestinet keeps foreign worker system contract for three more years, but with stricter terms

Bernama News 24th June 2024: Committee set up to Peruse Terms and Conditions of BESTINET Contract

FMT 24th June 2024: Bestinet to surrender control of workers management system under new deal

FMT 24th June 2024: Bestinet should be phased out eventually, says ex-MP

Malaysianist 18th June 2024: Minting money from a migrant services monopoly (click to subscribe for full article)

9th June 2024 Daily Star – Labour Recruitment from Bangladesh to Malaysia: Syndicate wins, migrants suffer, country loses(excellent summary how bad triumphed, carnage resulted – Bangladesh and Malaysia MUST be downgraded to Tier 3 in the upcoming U.S. TIP report!)

Dhaka Tribune 11th June 2024: Deadline extended for Malaysia migration hurdle complaints

Business Standard 11th June: Unrest within Baira over Malaysian labour market, ruckus in AGM as committee members assaulted 

Observer 9th June 2024: Around 2,900 complaints lodged by deprived Malaysia-bound migrants

Malaysianist 6th June 2024: The fat cat ruling the Malaysian migrant services roost(allegations of systemic corruption involving Malaysia’s migrant worker management systems – click to subscribe)

Business Standard 5th June 2024: Govt to take action over failure in sending workers to Malaysia: PM Hasina

4th June 2024 Daily Star (Op Ed): Break the syndicates, not the dreams of Malaysia-bound workers

SCMP 4th June 2024 – In Malaysia, business and human rights must go hand in hand, UN rights chief says in KL press conference against backdrop of systemic migrant worker abuses

New Straits Times 4th June 2024: Human rights-centric practices essential for foreign investment, says UN

4th June 2024 Business Standard: NHRC orders probe into alleged embezzlement of Tk150cr from Malaysia-bound workers

4th June 2024 Business Standard: 47,809 Bangladeshis flew to Malaysia in May – highest since labour market reopened in 2022

Daily Sun 3rd June: IRREGULARITIES IN MIGRATION TO MALAYSIA – Recruiting agencies never made accountable(good historical summary)

Business Standard 4th June 2024:Dhaka-20, Feni-2 MPs deny allegations of involvement in embezzling money from Malaysia-bound workers

SCMP 3rd June 2024: ‘Nothing left for me’ as thousands of Bangladeshi workers lose everything in failed bid to work in Malaysia

Daily Star Editorial 3rd June 2024: Must our migrants pay the price every time?

Prothomalo 3rd June 2024 – Bangladesh Labour market: Hapless workers lose all vying to go to Malaysia

Daily Sun 3rd June 2024: IRREGULARITIES IN MIGRATION TO MALAYSIA: Recruiting agencies never made accountable

FMT 3rd June 2024: 17,000 Bangladeshi workers stranded, Dhaka pleads for time

Daily Star 3rd June 2024: 16,970 Bangladeshis failed to reach Malaysia for mismanagement, more destitution and modern slavery will result

Daily Star 3rd June 2024 – Bangladeshi Migrant Worker Exploitation and Malaysian Labour Market Alleged Criminal Syndicate: The agencies picked by KL to blame, Bangladesh tells UN OHCHR

Daily Star 2nd June 2024: Controversial recruitment system to stay 3 more years

Daily Star 2nd June – Jobs in Malaysia: Mismanagement left over 3k workers with no ticket to KL

Daily Star 1st June 2024: Must history repeat itself with the Malaysian labour market’s alleged criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi migrant workers for forced labour

MALAYSIAKINI June 1st 2024: Controversial worker management system BESTINET gets new lease, sources say

1st June 2024 Kalerkantho: Malaysia’s dream ends in deprivation for Bangladeshi migrant workers of criminal syndicate

FMT 31st May 2024: Expect Bangladeshi workers to be stranded and at high risk of modern slavery following Malaysian migration management deadline rush, warns activist

SCMP 31st May 2024: Malaysians shocked by thousands of Bangladeshis crowding at airport to beat deadline for legal work, as UN and activists warn of increased modern slavery risks

CNA 31st May 2024: Over 30,000 workers set to miss deadline to enter Malaysia even as officials clear backlog at KL airport

Prothomalo 31 May 2024 – Bangladesh – Malaysia’s labour market: Repeated syndicates, repeated closure

Prothomalo 31st May 2024: Bangladesh – Thousands of people crowded Dhaka airport without flight tickets to go to Malaysia

31st May 2024 FMT: Govt reaffirms commitment to protect migrant workers’ rights to UN

31st May 2024: The closure of the labor market in Malaysia has shattered the dreams of 31,000 workers

Daily Star 31 May 2024 – Recruitment in Malaysia: Syndicate siphons over $1b out of Bangladesh

Daily Sun 31st May 2024: Biman sends 2,000 migrant workers to Malaysia

Business Standard 31st May 2024: Malaysia-bound workers scammed, stranded at Dhaka airport as deadline set to expire today

Daily Star 30th May 2024: Manpower syndicates beyond Dhaka-KL control

30th May 2024: Comment by Andy Hall, independent migrant worker rights specialist, on ongoing migrant worker management crisis in Malaysia and at KLIA airport today, Bangladeshi workers at high risk of modern slavery

CNA 30th May 2024: ‘Congestion’ at KL airport as employers scramble to bring in thousands of migrant workers before deadline

MALAYSIAKINI 30th May 2023: ‘Migrants influx at KLIA due to employers chasing deadline’

30th May 2024 Benar News: Malaysia’s labor market closed – Migrant workers flock to airports in all countries

29th May Daily Star: Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia – Hiring begins with bribery (UN independent experts say Bangladeshi workers pay up to 8 times for migration alone due to corruption of Malaysia ministries, Bangladesh mission and syndicates)

29th May Daily Star: Airfare to Malaysia surges fivefold

FMT 28th May 2024: Malaysia yet to respond to UN concerns on alleged criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi migrant victims for forced labour in the country(with my full statement included)

For Immediate Release 27th May 2024: Statement by Andy Hall, Independent Migrant Worker Rights Specialist, on today’s public release of UN OHCHR’s unanswered urgent appeal communications to the Malaysian and Bangladeshi Governments 

30th May Star: Cyclone smashes Bangladeshi workers’ hopes, extension requested

Channel News Asia 25th May 2024: Malaysia’s bid to revamp hiring of foreign workers through controversial BESTINET process faces pushback; activists say country’s reputation at stake

22nd May 2024: UN expert – Malaysian law enforcement mixing up human trafficking, migrant smuggling – “What steps has Malaysia taken to investigate alleged complicity of public officials in human trafficking?’’

20th May 2024 FMT: Duped Bangladeshi workers won’t impact Malaysia’s US Human trafficking report ranking, says HR Minister Sim

Malay Mail 17th May 2024: Pengerang employer to face Labour Court in Malaysia after failing for months to pay Bangladeshi workers’ wages over RM1m (government statements and my comments included – months on, court agreed mediation settlement unforced, workers allegedly remain in situation akin to acute modern slavery)

16th May 2024: Firm that left over 700 Bangladeshi workers to dry in Pengerang facing possible prosecution (months on, court agreed mediation settlement unforced, workers allegedly remain in situation akin to acute modern slavery)

14th May 2024: FMT – Activists warn of US trafficking report downgrade for Malaysia amid UN criticism

May 10th 2024 The Star: Malaysian Government responds to OHCHR, IOM, ILO and UNODC joint condemnation on alleged Bangaldeshi migrant worker criminal syndicate by pledging to set up special unit handling migrant workers’ grievances, says HR Minister Sim

9th May 2024: Study: 96% of Bangladeshi workers going to Malaysia fall into recruitment debt– The study also said that 82% had two or more loans and 73% of workers spent at least 50% to 100% of their monthly salary to repay recruitment debts

4th May 2024: UN agencies concerned over Bangladeshi workers stranded in Malaysia – Joint Statement of ILO, IOM and UNODC on Alleged Criminal Syndicate Trafficking Bangladeshi Workers for Forced Labour in Malaysia

24th April 2024: Address plight of duped Bangladeshi migrant workers in Malaysia in response to UN warning, govt told (more on the ongoing saga of an alleged criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi migrant workers for forced labour in Malaysia)

19th April 2024: UN (OHCHR) Statement on Alleged Criminal Syndicate Trafficking Bangladeshi Workers for Forced Labour in Malaysia – ‘Malaysia: Bangladeshi workers must be protected from exploitation and criminalisation, say UN experts’

FMT 19th April 2024: UN experts sound alarm over plight of duped Bangladeshi migrants in Malaysia

For more on Andy Hall’s complaint to the OHCHR see 30th Oct 2023: FMT: Andy Hall refers stranded Bangladeshi workers’ plight in Malaysia to UN Human Rights Council

See Daily Star 23rd Apr 2024: Bangladesh Plight of Migrant Workers – Bangladesh, Malaysia working group meeting likely in May

See Daily Star Editorial 23rd Apr 2024: When even legal migrants suffer – Workers migrating to Malaysia legally deserve better protection 

Business Standard 23rd April 2024: Expat Ministry reviews UN complaints on Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia

Prothomalo 23rd April 2024: Bangladesh – Ministry reviewing allegations over Malaysia labour market

BenarNews Malay Language: Pakar PBB gesa Malaysia tangani layanan buruk diterima pekerja Bangladesh (UN expert urges Malaysia to handle bad treatment received by Bangladeshi workers)

Daily Star 19th Apr 2024: UN experts express dismay over situation of Bangladeshi migrants in Malaysia

FMT 19th Apr 2024: PSM, news portal set aside order to stop debate on migrant workers’ plight

Daily Star Editorial 17th April 2024: Save our migrants in Malaysia (more on the crisis caused by an alleged criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi workers for forced labour in Malaysia)

9th April 2024 The Star – Bangladeshi victims of criminal syndicate trafficking worked for forced labour in Malaysia: ‘Cops after workers, not rogue employers’

7th April 2024: SCMP – As Malaysia’s door closes on low-paid migrant workers, companies scramble for staff (and a systemically corrupt migration management and recruitment policy, devoid of the rule of law and leading to impunity and gross exploitation, is revealed)

6th April 2024 Daily Star: A hostel of nightmares for Bangladeshi migrants allegedly trafficked by criminal syndicate for forced labour in Malaysia (and Daily Star Op Ed)

Daily Star Editorial 6th Apr 2024: What will happen to migrants abandoned in Malaysia?

26th March 2024: The Star – Freeze on foreign workers hiring quota in Malaysia stays for now, says HR Minister (with estimated 200,000+ surplus foreign workforce victims facing destitution and abuse)

25th March 2024: Bangladeshi workers (alleged victims of criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi workers for forced labour in Malaysia) claim being coerced into withdrawing police and labour complaints

Daily Star 25th Mar: Malaysia employer framed Bangladeshi workers

Daily Star 24th Mar 2024: Jailed in Malaysia – 3 Bangladesh workers released

Editorial Prothomalo 24th Mar 2024: Malaysian labour market – Take action against the fraud syndicate

FMT 23rd March 2024: PSM calls on Sim to look into arrest of Bangladeshi workers

MALAYSIAKINI 23 Mar 2024: Stranded foreign workers (alleged victims of criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi workers for forced labour in Malaysia) nabbed after labour complaints against employer

23rd March 2024 The Star: Half a million vulnerable and irregular foreign workers disappear from Malaysia’s migrant worker regularization programme as deadline looms in one week

23 Mar 2024 The Star: Verification rate lags as RTK 2.0 deadline approaches

22nd March 2024 Malay Mail: Home minister – Over RM9m in fines collected so far through migrant repatriation programme

22nd March 2024 Protomalo: Malaysian labour market set to be closed again due to syndication

20th March 2024: 93 duped/detained Bangladeshi migrant workers in Malaysia have jobs now, says immigration DG

20th Mar 2024 Business Standard: Bangladeshi workers’ plight in Malaysia: Coalition of migration orgs demand action against recruiting agency syndicate

19th March 2024: FMT – Plantation firms wary of ‘forced labour’ concerns in hiring 200,000 surplus foreign workers/criminal syndicate victims in Malaysia, says minister – indeed he’s right, who wants to take on destitute foreign workers often with US$4-7000 in debt?

17th March 2024: FMT – Malaysia’s treatment of migrant workers utterly shameful

New Age 16th Mar 2024: Bangladeshi government must mend issues to keep Malaysia job market open

15th March 2024 SCMP: Malaysians deride minister’s idea to rebrand palm oil workers as ‘specialised harvesters’

14th March 2024: The Star – Opinion: When work in Malaysia is a con – the criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshis for forced labour in Malaysia

FMT 13th March 2024: Bangladeshi migrants file police reports after falling victim to job scam/criminal syndicate trafficking workers from Bangladesh for forced labour in Malaysia

12th March 2024: SCMP – Malaysia to slash migrant workforce amid intolerance, job scam crisis involving Bangladeshi labourers

FMT 11th Mar 2024: Duped migrant jobseekers, victims of alleged criminal syndicate trafficking Bangaldeshi workers to Malaysia for forced labour, face mental health issues, says Malaysian ex-MP

Daily Star Editorial 10th March 2024: Migrating to a life of unemployment

Daily Star 10th Mar 2024: Distressed in Malaysia – Thousands of Bangladeshi migrants jobless, unpaid or underpaid 

9th March 2024: Malay Mail – Activists warn rushed 31st March visa deadline in Malaysia could force firms to source foreign workers unethically (includes my commentary on the abrupt policy change)

9th Mar 2024 The Star: No extension of May 31 foreign worker deadline

NST 9th Mar 2024: Keep recruitment agencies in a list rather than shutting them down, govt told   

See also NST 9th Mar 2024: Sourcing migrant workers takes time, ‘not like buying cattle’, employer groups tell govt

NST 8th Mar 2024: Eliminate middlemen from migrant worker recruitment process, govt told

Star 8th Mar 2024: May 31 deadline for foreign workers recruitment under recalibration programme remains, says Saifuddin

Malay Mail 8th Mar 2024: Saifuddin Nasution: No more agents for Bangladeshi worker recruitment

6th Mar 2024: Malaysian government halts foreign worker entry into the country from 31st May 2024 (final calling visa/VDN approval issuance deadline 31st March 2024) as migrant worker management crisis worsens and victims of gross exploitation, unemployment and destitution rise significantly

6th March 2024: Business Times –Sudden change in foreign worker policy by Malaysian government leaves industry in limbo

6th Mar 2024 Edge: Foreign worker intake deadline changes will leave manufacturers in the lurch, says FMM

6th Mar 2024 FMT: Industry players shocked by foreign worker policy change, says FMM

Mar 5 2024: NCCIM urges govt to review unused foreign worker quota deadline

4th March 2024 URGENT call for donations/support: joining forces with HOPE SELANGOR to fill gap in providing humanitarian aid and assistance to victims of criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi workers into forced labour in Malaysia

Mar 3rd 2024: Concern on repatriation of potential trafficking and forced labour/abuse victims under Malaysian Migrant Worker Repatriation Programme Commencing 1st March 2024 (Statement by Andy Hall, Independent Migrant Worker Rights Specialist)

FMT 3rd Mar 2024: Ensure ‘crooks’ do not gain from repatriation programme, says activist

Mar 2nd 2024 The Star: A chance for illegals to go home

Mar 2nd 2024 The Star: Sarawak immigration extends RTK2.0 until June

Mar 1st 2024 FMT: 600,000 foreign workers urged to take easy exit home

Mar 1st 2024 The Star: Use repatriation programme to return home, 600,000 illegals told

Feb 28th 2024 The Star: New programme lets migrants off the hook without being prosecuted

Feb 25th 2024 The Star: Businesses want foreign worker hiring freeze lifted

Jan 31st 2024 NST: Govt to implement Migrant Repatriation Programme starting March

Jan 31st 2024 The Edge: Cabinet agrees to extend freeze on hiring of foreign workers, says home minister 

31st Jan 2024 FMT: Migrant repatriation programme set for March 1

31st Jan 2024 The Star: Migration Repatriation Programme to commence on March 1, says Home Ministry

FMT 6th Jan 2024: 171 duped migrant workers deserve compensation, govt told (includes my full statement)

5th Jan 2024: New Strait Times – MCA: Don’t just fine employers, hold ministry accountable as well for unemployed foreign workers

FMT 30th Dec 2023: Migrants being duped into Malaysia because of govt’s failure to curb criminal trafficking syndicates and organised crime network, says activist Andy Hall

30th Dec 2023: New Strait Times – Recruitment agencies accused of deception as Bangladeshi victims speak out on exploitation and fear

29th Dec 2023: Malay Mail – Set up probe on exploitation of migrant workers and new ministry to manage their affairs, Suhakam tells Putrajaya

28th Dec 2023: FMT – Malaysia has entered ‘slave labour’ territory, says ex-MP – Charles Santiago calls for specific set-ups to manage migrant workers 

27th Dec 2023: New Strait Times – MTUC demand govt, MACC probe into corrupt recruitment practices of foreign workers

26th Dec 2023: FMT – High recruitment fees make greedy agents bring in workers, says group

25th Dec 2023: FMT – Probe recruitment agents, MACC told after arrest of Bangladeshis

22nd Nov 2023: MALAYSIAKINI – Full probe of migrant worker syndicate, Malaysian HR Minister Sivakumar says

9th Nov 2023: Malaysia – The State of the Nation: Flaws of foreign worker system laid bare in declassified report

30th Oct 2023: FMT: Andy Hall refers stranded Bangladeshi workers’ plight in Malaysia to UN Human Rights Council

23rd Oct 2023: RESPONSE FROM THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCES IN REGARDS TO AN ARTICLE BY MR. ANDY HALL/HR Minister – strict actions against employers who fail to comply with Malaysia’s labour and immigration laws

20th Oct 2023 Malaysiakini: Long-awaited foreign worker management report declassified in Malaysia (my comments added)

19th Oct 2023: Malaysia facing huge excess of 1/4 million migrant laborers

21st Sep 2023: Malaysian government has 15 source countries for foreign workers – Comments by Andy Hall

20th Sep 2023: Rate of abused Bangladeshi workers’ entry into Malaysia worrying, says migrant rights activist Andy Hall

12th July 2023: excellent final offering from a 4 part account of atypical modern-day slavery, forced labour and abuse perpetrated against a group of migrant workers from Bangladesh in Malaysia, written concisely and passionately by former MP from Malaysia Charles Santiago

Aljazeera News TV 10th July 2023 – Migrants in Malaysia: Hundreds left stranded in recruitment scam

The post Opinion Piece 12th August 2025: As Anwar meets Yunus, Corrupted Bangladesh Malaysia Recruitment Corridor Needs Reform appeared first on Andy Hall.

Sourced from: Malaysiakini – by B Nantha Kumar – July 31, 2025

Bangladesh has agreed to stop its investigation over allegations of a syndicate exploiting its labourers who wish to work in Malaysia, a high-ranking official from the Bangladeshi government told Malaysiakini.

The official, who requested anonymity, claimed the decision was made during a meeting in Kuala Lumpur two weeks ago between representatives from the Bangladeshi government and the Malaysian Human Resources Ministry.

“Two officials – a special envoy and a special assistant – to the chief adviser to the Bangladeshi government visited Malaysia two weeks ago and held a meeting with the ministry officials.

“In the meeting, the Bangladeshi representatives agreed to discontinue the investigations so that Malaysia can resume recruiting Bangladeshi workers,” the official said

While other Human Resources Ministry officials contacted by Malaysiakini confirmed the matter, the ministry’s official spokesperson denied it.

“No such meeting happened two weeks ago,” the official spokesperson said briefly without elaborating.

Earlier, Malaysiakini was informed that the meeting was held after the Malaysian government sent a letter to Bangladesh, calling for the investigations to be halted, claiming it was baseless.

The letter, dated April 23, 2025, was sent by a senior Human Resources Ministry official to a fellow senior official of the Bangladeshi Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry.

While the Malaysian government urged its Bangladeshi counterpart to address claims of exploitation of its citizens who wanted to work in Malaysia between 2022 and 2024, it mentioned that most of the allegations involving human trafficking and money laundering were baseless and damaging to Malaysia’s reputation.

“Plus, we urge you to stop reinvestigating cases that had been dropped before this through formal mechanisms.

“This is to ensure Malaysia is able to preserve and improve our Trafficking in Persons ratings by showing our commitment to ethical recruitment processes,” the letter reads.

Malaysiakini has contacted the Human Resources Ministry official who sent the letter for comments.

Bangladesh nabs minister

On Oct 21, 2024, the Bangladeshi police arrested former minister Imran Ahmed over a massive investigation involving migrant workers’ recruitment to Malaysia, reported The Business Standard.

Dhaka’s additional deputy commissioner Obaidur Rahman confirmed the arrest but refused to elaborate on the reasons.

Last September, the same daily reported that a workers’ recruitment agency owner had lodged a police report against 103 individuals, including Imran, alleging they were involved in the syndicate.

Former Bangladesh minister Imran Ahmed

The report refers to human trafficking and abuse of power involved in the process of sending workers to Malaysia, using the agencies chosen through the memorandum of understanding signed between both nations on Dec 19, 2021.

Over 480,000 Bangladeshi workers entered Malaysia between 2022 and 2024 through the approved agencies.

However, several local and Bangladeshi NGOs alleged that despite being promised jobs, some get stranded in Malaysia without employment, are debt-ridden, and risk being arrested by Malaysian authorities.

Many claim to have been cheated with promises of jobs, despite having paid up to RM25,000 in fees, usually after taking loans.

Kathmandu Post 8th June 2025: Nepal Malaysia migration corridor – Attempts to impose a total employment syndicate from Nepal to Malaysia have raised concerns (My Op Ed)

In 2023, more than 220,000 Nepalis went to Malaysia, the most popular destination for workers seeking income. Although Malaysia is an ‘attractive’ destination for Nepali citizens, most suffer gross exploitation in reality when migrating to and working in the country. High recruitment costs and related debt bondage, false terms of employment, and dangerous, dirty and demeaning jobs. Fake employers acting as outsourcing agents treat workers like cattle or leave them at risk of arrest, extortion and deportation. 

Attempts to impose a total employment syndicate from Nepal to Malaysia have raised concerns.

Original Source: Kathamandu Post – Published: June 8, 2025 – Andy Hall & Dhurba Mijar

Nepalis in Malaysia also experience ineffective grievance mechanisms and dire consular assistance from the Nepali Embassy, in addition to passport confiscation, limited freedom of movement, violence and even death. Security guards, a job assigned exclusively to Nepali foreign workers, face some of the worst exploitation, ranging from excessive, compulsory overtime, no day off, irregular salary payment and deductions, poor housing, to lack of access to healthcare. 

Most recently, from 2022 to 2024, the Bangladesh–Malaysia migration corridor was completely controlled by a syndicatethat led to the trafficking of Bangladeshi workers for forced labour in the country. The UN condemned this abuse in multiple statements, as workers shouldered debts of $5,000 and destitution once they arrived in Malaysia at non-existent jobs. Recruitment, travel, visa and medical check agencies were all selected to be part of the exclusive syndicate, which saw most business actors shut out.

Similarly, some syndicates have allegedly existed in Nepal’s migration processes to Malaysia for medical, visa, or security. However, migration costs from Nepal to Malaysia are lower than those from Bangladesh, and the entire recruitment system has never been syndicated. The number of agencies processing workers for migration to Malaysia was never restricted. However, similar efforts to impose a total syndicate from Nepal to Malaysia, like those in Bangladesh, have recently sparked accusations and denials. 

The Malaysian migration system is rotten. It is plagued by systemic corruption, impunity and a lack of the rule of law. There is also an absence of a long-term migration policy that equally prioritises national, economic and human security. But the recently exposed Bhutanese refugee scam and the fake visit visa scandal have revealed widespread abuse of power in Nepal, too. Nepalis are trafficked into debt and forced labour across the world, and the ministers seem increasingly complicit in this. 

Malaysia is a relatively developed country reliant on migrant labour-intensive global supply chains. It exports products made using foreign labour, such as palm oil, garments, electronics and furniture. Malaysia is obliged, at least on paper, to adhere to international Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) frameworks. Any form of syndicate when recruiting workers into its global supply chains that increases recruitment costs, forced labour and debt bondage risks, and dilutes transparency and fair competition raises questions about its commitment to ESG principles.

Migrant debt bondage due to exorbitant recruitment costs resulted in the US Customs and Border Protection placing a forced labour import ban on several prominent Malaysian companies from 2020 onwards. These companies paidmillions to workers, with the highest amount to those from Bangladesh, as reimbursement for recruitment costs to victims of abuse to clear their names.

If a total syndicate is implemented to tightly control who can process workers for migration within the Nepal-Malaysia migration corridor, it will lead to cronyism, processing delays and higher costs. Political coalitions in the country could also disintegrate over corruption controversies. This would not only affect the Nepali government and its workers, but also responsible Malaysian employers. 

Despite significant implementation weaknesses, Nepal’s lower-cost recruitment policies attracted responsible Malaysian companies to hire Nepalis rather than Bangladeshis until May 2024, when all recruitment was suspended due to systemic irregularities and abuse. However, if a syndicate is implemented for Nepal, decent companies in Malaysia will shun recruiting Nepalis for alternatives where syndicates are not active.

This would leave Nepalis migrating to Malaysia only for jobs in sectors that do not prioritise worker welfare and are not linked to global supply chains, such as security, cleaning, local restaurants, construction and local manufacturing. The syndicate will burden Nepalis financially, ensuring higher recruitment costs whilst profiting corrupt actors. Illegal transactions of laundered cash to pay the demanded illicit commission in Malaysia would rise, affecting the national economy and raising questions about commitments to financial governance. 

International efforts to develop a responsible recruitment framework focused on Malaysia’s migration corridor were most successful in Nepal. If a recruitment syndicate is implemented, these achievements will be lost, and Nepalis will face a sad situation similar to that of Bangladeshis.

Discussions are underway about only letting a few manpower agencies participate in a syndicate. This means others will be excluded from Malaysia’s labour market, forced to lay off staff or close. This would violate Nepal’s Constitution and the Competition Promotion and Market Protection Act of 2007, guaranteeing citizens the right to sell goods and services fairly and competitively. Any syndicate could and would be challenged in the Supreme Court.

However, it is necessary to end unhealthy competition and corrupt practices of most manpower agencies in Nepal, such as paying higher commissions to secure manpower demands over competitors at any cost to workers or Malaysian agents or employers.

The 2018 MoU signed between Nepal and Malaysia concerning recruitment, employment and repatriation of Nepali workers helped slightly to promote dignified labour migration. However, both governments’ lack of concern in reviewing the agreement, which expired last year, raises doubts about their commitment to worker welfare.

Despite the necessity of discussions on improving the welfare of workers migrating from countries like Nepal and Bangladesh to Malaysia, we are forced to focus on preventing monopolistic practices that threaten workers’ most basic rights.

Any non-transparent monopoly in Nepal’s migrant worker recruitment processes will harm the country’s remittance-dependent economy. If everyone remains silent as recruitment syndicates develop, the exploitation of Nepalese will deepen.

Nepal’s recruitment industry should engage the government to develop more responsible recruitment systems for Malaysian and other key destination countries for Nepali workers. The government of Nepal should also ensure its cabinet ministers do not sign unfair agreements and instead take the lead in building collective efforts with other migrant source countries, like Bangladesh, to stand against the bullying tactics of corrupt groups—both in Malaysia and Nepal—that may be seeking to expand a recruitment syndicate.

Nepal should strengthen ethical recruitment processes to impose upon destination countries that are desperate for loyal and hard-working Nepali nationals. Similarly, Malaysia, in coordination with countries like Nepal, must reform its rotten migration management systems and prioritise on worker welfare, ensuring transparency, and fulfil its obligations as a developed nation to stop the spread of exploitation, impunity and a lack of rule of law into recruitment experiences of the region’s most vulnerable migrant workers.

Andy Hall

Hall is an independent migrant worker rights specialist.

Dhurba Mijar

Mijar is the director and founder of Migration Dristi.

Malaysiakini 7th June 2025: Duped, deported, and in debt: Nepal’s migrant worker trap

Sourced from: Malaysiakini by Ramu Sapkota – June 7, 2025

Two years after this deal was inked, details emerged alleging that Khadka had extorted up to NPR5 million per institution that wanted to be on the biometric medical testing panel. #nepalimigrant #malaysia #labourmigration #Corruption #medicalreports #Biometrics #nepali

Supported by the Pulitzer Center
Additional Reporting Gopal Dahal

Kantipur 8th Jan 2025: Visit visa issue – need for an integrated immigration policy

TBS 23rd May 2025: Malaysia to reopen labour market to Bangaldeshi migrants, syndicate stays but may expand agency list – ‘major modern slavery risk continues: my response’

My response, attributed to Andy Hall, independent, migrant, worker rights specialist (23rd May 2025): ‘The continuation of a widely condemned, non transparent and corrupted recruitment process between Bangladesh and Malaysia would likely ensure that an alleged criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi workers for forced labour in Malaysia continues to firmly control this high risk migration corridor. Ethical, decent Malaysian employers producing compliance sensitive products for global supply chains will not hire Bangladeshi workers through a recruitment syndicate that continues to see these vulnerable workers yet again paying extortionate recruitment fees, and that breeds impunity and systemic corruption. The risks of modern slavery are too high for such decent employers. Bangladesh, its people and its remittance potential will suffer severely from a recruitment syndicate system that ensures Bangladesh workers only secure the worst and least paid, most dirty, dangerous and demeaning jobs in Malaysia. A corrupted migration corridor between Bangladesh and Malaysia is clearly systemic of a rotten migration management system in Malaysia that undermines the rule of law and encourages criminal cartels to operate with impunity. Meanwhile, this concerning outcome is emblematic of the failures of a weak and likewise corrupted Bangladeshi state to protect its vulnerable migrant workers from unethical recruitment practices and that continues to see Bangladeshi citizens traveling for low paid work overseas in acute debt bondage, paying the highest recruitment related fees and costs seen anywhere in the world.’

Sourced from: TBS News – 23rd May 2025

According to sources at the expatriates’ welfare ministry, the Malaysian delegation – led by Deputy Secretary-General of the Ministry of Human Resources M Shahrin bin Omar – remained firm on continuing the syndicated recruitment system, under which a limited number of Bangladeshi agencies are authorised to send workers 

Representational image of Malaysia capital Kuala Lumpur. Photo: Collected 

Highlights:

• Malaysia to retain syndicated recruitment system, citing agency management challenges
• Only 101 Bangladeshi agencies authorised, out of 2,500+ registered
• Syndicate linked to corruption; some charged up to Tk6 lakh, official cap Tk79,000
• Malaysia closed the labour market in June 2024 due to corruption, irregularities

After a year-long closure, Malaysia is expected to reopen its labour market to Bangladeshi workers soon following a two-day joint working group meeting between the two countries, which ended in Dhaka on Thursday (22 May).

According to sources at the expatriates’ welfare ministry, the Malaysian delegation – led by Deputy Secretary-General of the Ministry of Human Resources M Shahrin bin Omar – remained firm on continuing the syndicated recruitment system, under which a limited number of Bangladeshi agencies are authorised to send workers.

However, the Malaysian side may expand the current syndicate of 101 recruitment agencies, and those facing legal action over worker exploitation may be dropped, sources said.

Malaysia closed its labour market to Bangladeshi workers in June 2024, citing concerns over corruption and irregularities in the recruitment process.

20th May 2025: BAIRA faction alleged attack during press briefing against Malaysian labour market syndicate

This limited group of agencies, widely known as the syndicate, has been linked to significant corruption, with some charging up to Tk6 lakh to send a worker, while Bangladesh fixed the cost at Tk79,000 in 2022.

An official present at the joint meeting, speaking to TBS on condition of anonymity, said, “Malaysia wants to hire workers through a limited number of agencies as before. However, the number of agencies may increase this time.”

When asked how many more agencies might be added to the current list of 101, he replied, “No final decision has been made on this yet.”

“We strongly raised the issue of amending the clauses of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) previously signed between the two countries. However, the Malaysian side said it would be difficult for them to manage a larger number of agencies. The delegation did not take a final position on the matter — a decision will be made by their cabinet,” the official added.

The meeting also discussed capping migration costs and issuing multiple-entry visas for Bangladeshi workers.

The Bangladesh delegation was led by Neyamat Ullah Bhuiyan, senior secretary of the expatriates’ welfare ministry. A record of the discussion was signed following the meeting.

Meanwhile, a scheduled press conference by Lutfey Siddiqi, special envoy for international affairs to the chief adviser, after yesterday’s GWG meeting was cancelled.

Earlier on Wednesday, following the opening session of the JWG meeting, Lutfey Siddiqu told reporters that the process of sending Bangladeshi workers to Malaysia will be made fully transparent, with no room for irregularities or discrimination.

“In the first phase, around 8,000 workers who had completed all procedures but could not travel due to the closure of the labour market last year will now be sent,” he said, adding that they will be dispatched quickly through Bangladesh Overseas Employment and Services Limited (BOESL) under a government-to-government arrangement.

Siddiqi also noted that due to the large number of recruiting agencies in Bangladesh, the Malaysian government prefers to work with a limited number.

“To ensure transparency, today’s [Wednesday] joint working group meeting will discuss possible amendments to the existing memorandum of understanding,” he said.

He also clarified that Malaysia has not imposed any conditions regarding the reopening of the labour market.

In 2021, Malaysia allowed only 101 Bangladeshi recruitment agencies to send workers, even though the country has over 2,500 registered agencies.

During a visit to Malaysia on 15 May, Expatriates’ Welfare Adviser Asif Nazrul indicated that the market will be reopened for Bangladeshis.

Regarding employment, he said, “We have learned from various sources that Malaysia may take in 1,00,000 to 1,50,000 foreign workers in the next few months. We have been assured by the Malaysian human resources minister that Bangladesh will be given top priority in taking in people. The largest number of people will be taken from Bangladesh.”

Bloomberg EXCLUSIVE 15th May 2025: Malaysia Asks Bangladesh to Withdraw Migrant Labor Probes

Original Source: Bloomberg by Anders Melin – 15 May 2025

The Malaysian government has asked Bangladesh to review and withdraw “unsubstantiated allegations” of wrongdoing in labor migration between the two countries to improve Malaysia’s rating in an annual US report on human trafficking.

“Allegations of human trafficking and money laundering — largely unsubstantiated — have impacted the Malaysian reputation,” Azman Mohd Yusof, secretary-general of the nation’s Ministry of Human Resources, wrote in a letter dated April 23.

Bloomberg News reviewed a copy of the letter, which was sent to Neyamat Ullah Bhuiyan, senior secretary of Bangladesh’s Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment. An official familiar with the letter confirmed its authenticity.

The two governments are in talks to restart recruitment of Bangladeshi workers by Malaysian companies. Malaysia halted all such recruitment a year ago following widespread reports of workers who didn’t get the jobs they were promised despite paying thousands of dollars in fees, drawing criticism from the United Nations. Both Bangladesh’s police and anti-corruption agency have opened investigations into recruitment matters since then.

Azman asked Neyamat to review all pending allegations and withdraw those without merit, to ensure Malaysia “will preserve and enhance” its Trafficking in Persons (TIP) rankings, Azman wrote, referring to the US State Department’s assessment. It ranks countries based on their efforts to acknowledge and fight human trafficking.

“In addition, we request to prevent the revival of dismissed cases through a formal mechanism,” Azman wrote.

Neyamat and Asif Nazrul, who is part of Bangladesh’s cabinet and oversees the Expat Ministry, both declined to comment on the letter. A representative for Malaysia’s HR Ministry didn’t respond to a request for comment. It’s not clear if Bangladesh has responded to the letter.

It was sent just weeks ahead of high-level meetings between Malaysian and Bangladeshi officials to discuss recruitment. Neyamat and Asif are poised to meet Malaysia’s Home Affairs Minister Saifuddin Nasution and Human Resources Minister Steven Sim in Putrajaya on Thursday.

Full story available here

16th May 2025 Channel News Asia (CNA): Malaysia to resume recruitment of stranded Bangladeshi workers, vows to protect them from abuse, fraud

16th May 2025: Conditions on manpower export after Amin Noor was indicted – Malaysia calls for withdrawal of all controversial cases against 100 agencies designated by government

FMT 15th May 2025: Bangladesh clears Malaysia of labour abuse claims

Daily Star Editorial 15th May 2025: Don’t let Malaysia recruitment syndicates exploit migrants again – Workers’ rights must be prioritised during bilateral talks

Daily Star 16th May 2025: Malaysia job market – Bangladeshis may be given preference

Star 16th May 2025: Malaysia committed to protecting Bangladeshi workers from exploitation, says Saifuddin

Daily Sun 16th May 2025: Malaysian labour market beckons Bangladeshis again

New Nation 16th May 2025: Malaysia labour market set to reopen

SCMP 15th May 2025: Malaysia, Bangladesh urged to act on labour trafficking before ending migrant worker freeze

‘Thousands’ of Bangladeshis are stranded without jobs in Malaysia after a hiring freeze forced them to overstay illegally, activists say

—

FMT 15th May 2025: Malaysia asks Bangladesh to withdraw migrant labour probes (taken from Bloomberg media) 

Daily Star 15th May 2025: Bangladesh Malaysia agrees to recruit ‘large number’ of Bangladeshi workers

Daily Star 14th May 2025: Bangladeshi migrants in malaysia: Dhaka’s uphill battle to break syndicate chains

The 2 countries begin talks tomorrow 

Porimol Palma, Mohammad Jamil Khan

Wed May 14, 2025

Starting tomorrow, Bangladesh and Malaysia will hold a series of meetings, as the former faces an uphill task of reforming the labour recruitment system long plagued by syndication and corruption.

Sourced from: https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/bangladeshi-migrants-malaysia-dhakas-uphill-battle-break-syndicate-chains-3894026

Expatriates’ Welfare Adviser Asif Nazrul will meet Malaysian Human Resources Minister Steven Sim and Malaysian Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail in Putrajaya tomorrow, according to official documents.

Afterwards, the third official-level joint working group meeting will take place in Dhaka on May 21-22, followed by a meeting between Bangladesh Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in mid-July.

Following the formation of the interim government, Anwar Ibrahim was the first head of a foreign government to visit Bangladesh and meet the chief adviser last October.

The prominent topic of discussions was cooperation on labour recruitment and welfare, alongside other agendas including trade, investment and regional cooperation.ed to Malaysia on 13th May 2025 and on 14th May visited allege forced labour victims at Mediceram Sdn Bhd

Now, as Malaysia prepares to begin fresh labour recruitments, opening the market to Bangladeshis and ensuring migrants’ rights will figure high in the upcoming meetings.

Speaking to The Daily Star yesterday, Sarwoer Alam, deputy secretary of the expatriates’ welfare ministry, said, “Our focus will be on the reopening of the labour market and regularisation of the undocumented Bangladeshis in Malaysia.”

He added that the government will try to open the labour market to all capable recruiting agencies.

According to Malaysian official data, 898,970 Bangladeshis are currently working in Malaysia — the highest number among foreign nationalities after Indonesians and Nepalis. Migrant rights activists in Malaysia say the actual number would be higher if undocumented migrants were counted.

The rights activists reported numerous issues affecting the labour recruitment sector, with many migrants left jobless, unpaid, underpaid, defrauded or trapped in debt.

LABOUR ISSUES PERSIST UNCHECKED

Labour recruitment from Bangladesh to Malaysia has been halted multiple times since formal recruitment began in the 1990s, largely due to powerful lobbies in both countries. The latest instance was in 2022, when Malaysia selected only 101 Bangladeshi agencies to conduct recruitment without clarifying the criteria for selection.

Before halting recruitment in May 2024, Malaysia had recruited nearly 500,000 Bangladeshis. Each of these workers reportedly spent between $4,500 and $6,000 for a job there. Many employers were allegedly fraudulent but managed to secure approval to recruit foreign workers by bribing officials in both countries.

Nepal-based migrant rights activist Andy Hall, who closely follows Malaysia’s labour issues, estimated that around 1-2 lakh Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia were jobless last year.

“By now, some of them might have managed jobs, but there are others who have become jobless,” he told this newspaper.

“We’ve seen many workers unpaid or underpaid. They report to the labour department, but hardly get redress … New recruitment, as being discussed, can definitely happen but what about the ones already jobless and in trouble?” Hall questioned.

An independent migration researcher based in Kuala Lumpur said it is unimaginable how so many Bangladeshis in Malaysia are surviving without jobs or pay, after spending large sums to migrate.

Many workers become undocumented because their employers fail to renew their visas. Others fall into this category because they cannot get their passports renewed on time by the Bangladesh high commission, he said.

“These workers remain indebted and worried for their families. This is a serious level of migrant exploitation,” he told The Daily Star, requesting anonymity for fear of being targeted by agents and authorities.

Meanwhile, the same syndicate of 101 recruiting agencies in Bangladesh is lobbying the interim government to reopen the Malaysian market.

Mohammed Fakhrul Islam, joint secretary general-1 of the Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA), said, “I am not against the reopening of the market, but the question is how will it be reopened, what will be the recruitment system — syndicated or open for all agencies?”

He said corrupt leaders and officials were involved in the syndicate earlier, adding, “Will the interim government that was established to check inequality follow the same path? It will be extremely unfortunate if it does.”

Fakhrul, who regularly campaigns against the syndicate, said Chief Adviser Prof Yunus, who has a good rapport with Malaysian leader Anwar Ibrahim, must work to dismantle the syndicate and help reduce recruitment costs.

Andy Hall said Nepal has always strongly opposed syndicates in Malaysia’s labour recruitment, allowing it to secure a far better deal than Bangladesh.

“I would urge Bangladesh to take a strong position against the syndicate if it wants to improve the lives of the migrants in Malaysia.”

He also said Malaysia must address the issue of jobless migrants before beginning new recruitment. “Those who are unemployed can be recruited into the companies that want new workers,” he suggested.

18,000 WORKERS LIE IN WAIT

During Anwar Ibrahim’s visit last October, a key request made by Bangladesh was for the recruitment of nearly 18,000 Bangladeshis who had already paid Tk 4–5 lakh and obtained visas.

These workers were scheduled to fly to Malaysia by May 31, 2024. However, a ticket shortage — caused by a surge in demand before the deadline — prevented many from travelling.

Some others, despite having tickets, were unable to go as the Malaysian government blacklisted the companies that hired them.

The workers filed complaints with the government and staged several protests, prompting the Bangladesh High Commission in Malaysia to raise the issue with Malaysian authorities.

A joint technical group, comprising representatives from Malaysia’s immigration department and the Bangladesh High Commission, was formed and initially created a list of around 8,000 workers for recruitment. However, the workers have yet to travel.

“This is a priority issue for Bangladesh to discuss and take forward,” a foreign ministry official said.

Regarding the renewed engagement with Malaysia, BAIRA Secretary General Ali Haider Chowdhury said, “It is essential to prioritise the regulations of both governments, safeguard the interests of workers and ensure low-cost migration.”

Daily Sun 15th May 2025: REOPENING OF MALAYSIAN LABOUR MARKET – A new deal or another compromise with syndication?

TBS 14th May 2025: Rights body urges syndicate-free hiring as expatriate adviser visits Malaysia

FMT 14th May 2025: Malaysia-Bangladesh labour talks must address cartel issues, says ex-MP as Bangladeshi Expatriates Advisor Arrives in Malaysia

FMT 7th Apr 2025: Activist warns of syndicate threat to migrant labour reforms in Malaysia

As the government gets ready to reopen the hiring of foreign workers, migrant rights activist Andy Hall claims a recruitment syndicate has been revived.

Sourced from: FMT – 7th April 2025

PETALING JAYA: A migrant worker recruitment syndicate has become active again and may block efforts to reform the hiring of Bangladeshi and Nepali workers when Malaysia reopens the intake of foreign workers, according to a migrant rights activist.

Andy Hall said the syndicate is believed to have some control over the recruitment and management of foreign workers in Malaysia and caused serious problems for Bangladeshi workers between 2022 and 2024.

—

ProthomAlo 18th April 2025: Bangladesh: Awami League supporters are dropping out, but the ‘Malaysia Circle’ is trying to form again

হোমঅন্যান্য
মালয়েশিয়ায় আবারও সিন্ডিকেটের পাঁয়তারা, সতর্ক করলেন শ্রম অধিকার কর্মী
বাংলা ট্রিবিউন রিপোর্ট
০৭ এপ্রিল ২০২৫, ১৯:০৫ (Syndicates are on the rise again in Malaysia, warns labor rights activist)

—

“Many workers had to pay exorbitant amounts just to come to Malaysia. Some were recruited by fake employers and ended up unemployed, destitute, and trapped in debt bondage,” he told FMT.

In early 2024, several United Nations agencies raised concerns about abuses in the process of recruiting Bangladeshi workers, following formal complaints from Hall.

Malaysia halted all foreign worker recruitment in May last year, although some hiring continued in the plantation and security sectors. The suspension has lasted for 10 months and is expected to be lifted soon.

Hall said a 2021 agreement with Bangladesh needs to be reviewed, while an expired agreement with Nepal also needs to be updated, before the labour market is reopened.

He said problematic clauses must be removed “so as to rid the system of syndicates once and for all”.

Hall said many workers’ lives had been ruined by debt bondage and other abuses through “irresponsible, irregular and unethical recruitment, and impunity for such behaviour”.

He said home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail had stated in January last year that labour agreements with 15 countries would be reviewed, but no new deals have been revealed so far.

He also raised concerns about the continued use of a management system which came under parliamentary criticism for being open to access by unauthorised users.

Several groups and MPs have demanded it to be replaced after claims that the system was used by syndicates to control the recruitment process and raise costs.

In November 2024, Bloomberg reported that Bangladesh had written to Interpol asking for help to extradite people in Malaysia linked to the system who had “fraudulently extorted money from the victims” and subjected them to “physical and mental torture.”

Related stories 

TBS 8th May 2025: Halt Malaysia worker flow if syndicate persists: Labour stakeholders to govt

Bangla News 24 8th 2025: Fraud in manpower export to Malaysia
That dream is still elusive (Bangladeshi Language)

Aliran 8th May 2025: Breaking a 30-year monopoly on Malaysia’s migrant worker medical testing syndicate: Why Fomema should not dominate foreign worker medical screenings in the future – calling for an end to Malaysian foreign worker healthcare/recruitment syndicate

Ratopati 8th May 2025: Foreign employment: Syndicate of manpower professionals in Nepal tries to exclusively send migrant workers to Malaysia (Nepali language) 

Madhyahana Daily 7th May 2025: There Is No Possibility Of Forming A Syndicate In Nepal Malaysian Employment: Nepal Labor Minister Bhandari Statement

SajhaSabal 6th May 2025: Foreign Employment Nepal – Malaysia Employment: Are Recruitment Syndicate Operators in Nepal and Malaysia More Powerful Than the Government? Whose Plan Is This? (Bangladeshi Malaysia like recruitment syndicate fears hit Nepal Malaysia recruitment market) (Nepali Language)

5th May 2025 Daily Star: BAIRA urges govt to reopen Malaysian labour market

5th May 2025 Kalerkantho: Fraud in manpower export to Malaysia – 8 billion taka of workers’ money in Swapan’s pocket

5th May Prothomalo: Bangladesh Memorandum to the Chief Advisor – Demand to open Malaysia’s labor market to all legal agencies

Kalerkantho 1 May, 2025: Swapan-Amin’s luxurious life with workers’ money from Bangladesh/Malaysia migrant worker recruitment scam

Kalerkantho 01 May, 2025: Bangladeshi Workers are living inhumane lives in Bangladesh without getting their money back due to Malaysian recruitment syndicate/scam

30th April 2025 Kalerkantho: Swapan-Amin cycle active again – Fraud in manpower export to Malaysia

FMT 18th May 2025: 33 Bangladeshi migrant workers sue Malaysian recruitment firm, Malaysian govt over job scam from alleged syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi workers for forced labour in Malaysia

In their suit, the workers say they were left stranded after paying RM25,000 each in recruitment fees for a job scam with a monthly salary of up to RM2,500.

Original Source: FMT Reporters – May 18, 2025

A group of migrant workers from Bangladesh are suing a recruitment company and the government for leaving them jobless in Malaysia after an alleged job scam involving payment of tens of thousands of ringgit each in fees.

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Daily Star 19th May 2025: ‘Job scam’ – 33 Bangladeshis sue Malaysian firm, govt for Tk 4.8cr

—

The 33 workers seek a court declaration that they were victims of human trafficking and a job scam.

In their statement of claim, the workers sought RM1.71 million in compensation from the company, made up of RM25,000 each in fees to a “recruiting agent”, and RM27,000 being 18 months’ promised salary of RM1,500 a month from October 2023 to March 2025.

They also seek payment of RM1,500 a month in promised salary from April 2025 until the disposal of the suit.

The workers also seek compensation from the government, a declaration that the authorities were negligent, and a court order to prevent their detention by the immigration department pending the disposal of the suit.

In the statement of claim, the workers said they were brought to Malaysia after being promised employment as construction workers and had been assured by the Bangladesh high commission in Malaysia of the authenticity of the job offers.

They said they were promised a monthly salary of between RM1,500 and RM2,500, but were asked to pay fees amounting to RM25,000 each to obtain quota approvals, levies, temporary work passes, health checks, and commissions for the job agents.

They said in the claim that they realised only later on that it was the responsibility of the employer to pay all these costs.

The workers said they arrived in Malaysia in batches between June and October 2023 but were left without a job.

They were asked to hand over their travel documents and passports, before being housed in several dormitories in Pudu, Kuala Lumpur, which they said were owned by the company.nullnull

The workers said they later learned that the job offers were not genuine and they had to remain in the dorms for several months, being supplied with only basic necessities to cook for themselves.

The workers then lodged a complaint with migrant worker rights group Tenaganita, which led to an investigation by the labour department, according to the legal firm of Saleh & Aizac, which filed the suit at the High Court in Shah Alam in March.

Named in the suit as defendants are Meranti Binamas Sdn Bhd, the secretary-general of the human resources ministry, the director-general of immigration, and the government.

5th Nov 2024: Bloomberg – Bangladesh Asks Malaysia to Arrest Businessmen in Migrant Trafficking Case

Police in Bangladesh have asked the government of Malaysia to arrest and extradite two businessmen as part of a probe of alleged money laundering, extortion, and migrant trafficking of workers.

Original Source: Bloomberg by Anders Melin – 5 November 2024 

The men, Aminul Islam and Ruhul Amin, are alleged to have played key roles in a system that “fraudulently extorted money from the victims” and exposed them to “physical and mental torture,” according to the letter dated Oct. 24 that Bangladesh’s branch of Interpol sent to its counterpart in Malaysia.

Bloomberg News reviewed a copy of the letter, which doesn’t say whether the men have been charged. Police Inspector Ashiqur Rahman, who is part of Bangladesh’s Interpol branch, confirmed the contents in a telephone interview on Sunday. A senior Bangladeshi government official, who wasn’t authorized to speak publicly about the matter, also confirmed the letter.

The South Asian nation’s police asked that Malaysia’s government temporarily halt its use of the software provided by Bestinet Sdn., a closely held company that Aminul founded. Malaysian officials have used this software to process and monitor hundreds of thousands of migrant workers from Bangladesh and other countries since at least 2018.

Aminul, who’s commonly known as Amin, was born in Bangladesh and gained Malaysian citizenship more than a decade ago. His lawyer said they had not received any information about the letter and categorically denied the allegations raised in it.

For full article please click here

Additional reading 

Important article by PSM/Rani Rasiah 11th Nov 2024 – Extradition call – Justice in sight for migrant worker recruitment fraud victims?

Daily Star 11th Nov 2024: Dhaka, KL must act to end trafficking

FMT 10th Nov 2024: Govt wants Dhaka to clarify extradition request for duo

FMT 7th Nov 2024: Silence not an option, govt told, as Bangladesh seeks duo’s extradition

Free Malaysia Today 6th Nov 2024: Bestinet founder denies misconduct amid report of extradition

Original Source: FMT – 6th November 2024

It was reported that Bangladeshi police had written to Putrajaya requesting the arrest and extradition of Aminul Islam and an associate.

Sourced from: https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2024/11/06/bestinet-founder-denies-misconduct-amid-report-of-extradition/

PETALING JAYA: An IT firm’s founder has rejected suggestions of misconduct after it was reported that Bangladeshi police were seeking his extradition in relation to a probe linked to migrant worker recruitment.

Bloomberg yesterday reported that Bangladeshi police had written to Putrajaya requesting the arrest and extradition of Bestinet Sdn Bhd founder Aminul Islam and an associate, Ruhul Amin, to facilitate investigations into alleged money laundering, extortion and migrant trafficking of workers.

Bestinet has a government contract to provide IT systems for the recruitment of foreign workers, known as the Foreign Workers Centralised Management System (FWCMS). Bangladeshi police have requested Putrajaya to temporarily halt its use.

In a statement, Aminul’s lawyer N Sivananthan said the Bloomberg article’s insinuation that his client or Bestinet might be involved in illegal practices was “completely unfounded”.null

He denied any suggestion linking either Aminul or Bestinet with human trafficking or money laundering.

Sivananthan said neither Aminul nor Bestinet had engaged in recruitment processes or had direct interactions with recruitment agencies or potential hires in Bangladesh or elsewhere.

Bestinet’s role, he said, is strictly limited to providing implementation and technical support for FWCMS.

“Aminul has not, at any point, been involved in activities beyond the officially sanctioned scope of Bestinet’s technology services,” said Sivananthan, adding that Aminul only served as a shareholder at Bestinet.

“Bestinet’s technology is specifically developed to foster transparent and lawful recruitment practices, which are closely monitored and regulated by Malaysian and Bangladeshi government bodies.

“All recruitment decisions remain solely under the purview of the relevant government authorities in Malaysia and Bangladesh… and every aspect of the FWCMS platform operates in full compliance with the Malaysian home ministry and immigration department standards, as well as international guidelines.”

He added that FWCMS features secure measures, including biometric verification, health screening integration, digital tracking of documentation, and secure payment processing, which are designed to protect foreign workers and minimise the risk of exploitation.

Each worker’s documentation is subject to stringent verification, including authentication by the Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, ensuring compliance at multiple levels, Sivananthan said.

Bloomberg reported that according to a letter dated Oct 24 from Bangladesh’s Interpol branch to its Malaysian counterpart, Aminul and Ruhul were alleged to have played a vital role in a migrant worker recruitment system that “fraudulently extorted money from the victims” who were also exposed to physical and mental torture.

The contents of the letter were confirmed with Bangladesh’s Interpol branch and a senior Bangladeshi government official.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) investigated Bestinet in 2022 for alleged corruption and abuse of power involving the selection of 25 Bangladeshi agencies for migrant worker recruitment, with Aminul among those questioned.

In September, The Scoop reported that MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki said the investigation was classified as “no further action” after the anti-graft agency found no evidence of criminal activity.

Earlier this year, the home ministry said Bestinet’s contract to provide IT systems for the recruitment of foreign workers had been extended after the existing six-year agreement ended on May 31, 2024. However, home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail did not provide details about the duration of the contract.

The 2022 Auditor-General’s Report, which was released last year, revealed that there were no signed agreements between the government and Bestinet previously, which meant Putrajaya’s rights were unclear.

—-

CNA 6th Nov 2024: Bangladesh asks Malaysia to arrest and extradite 2 businessmen over alleged migrant worker trafficking and extortion (background article)

Original Source: Channel News Asia – 6th November 2024

Founder of Bestinet Sdn Bhd Mohamed Aminul Islam and his associate are alleged to be involved in a money-laundering syndicate exploiting migrant workers, according to a Bloomberg report, allegations which Bestinet deny.

KUALA LUMPUR: Bangladesh police have called on Malaysia to arrest and extradite the founder of a controversial firm managing Malaysia’s migrant worker intake and his associate as part of a probe into alleged money laundering, extortion and trafficking of migrant workers, according to a report.

Bestinet Sdn Bhd founder Mohamed Aminul Islam and Mr Mohamad Ruhul Amin are alleged to be involved in a system that “fraudulently extorted money from the victims” and subjected them to “physical and mental torture”, read a letter dated Oct 24 which Dhaka’s branch of Interpol had sent to its counterpart in Malaysia. 

Bangladesh’s request was first reported on Nov 5 by Bloomberg.

Dhaka’s police inspector Ashiqur Rahman who is part of Bangladesh’s Interpol Branch as well as a senior Bangladeshi government official who was not allowed to speak publicly about the matter have both confirmed to Bloomberg the letter was sent to Malaysia. 

The letter, however, does not say whether the men have been charged, according to Bloomberg. 

Mr Ashiqur added that Malaysian authorities had already responded to the letter by requesting Bangladesh to submit a formal request for extradition. The documents are currently being prepared, he said.

As of Nov 6, Malaysian police and home affairs and foreign affairs ministries have yet to issue any statements on the matter. 

Mr Aminul’s lawyer had however told Bloomberg that they have yet to receive any information regarding the letter from the Bangladeshi police and denied the allegations raised in it. 

Meanwhile, a representative for Catharsis International – a Dhaka-based recruitment firm for which Mr Ruhul is the sole proprietor – had replied to Bloomberg via email, refuting any allegations and stating that Mr Ruhul has “always been operating legally, legitimately and ethically”. 

Mr Aminul, a former Bangladesh national who has taken up Malaysian citizenship, stepped down as chairman of Bestinet in July 2023 but remains a shareholder of the company, according to news outlet Malaysiakini. 

Mr Ruhul meanwhile, acts as his representative in Bangladesh. 

According to Mr Ashiqur, both Mr Aminul and Mr Ruhul were last sighted in Kuala Lumpur.

Allegations of a Money Laundering Syndicate

In a Malaysiakini report on Sep 23 that is also available on Bestinet’s official website, the company had denied allegations that it was involved in money laundering activities through its founder Mr Aminul.

“Bestinet denies the existence of any syndicate supposedly controlled by Aminul or anyone else within our jurisdiction,” Bestinet’s current chief executive officer Ismail Mohd Noor told Malaysiakini on Sep 23, adding that Mr Aminul is no longer involved in any part of Bestinet’s operations. 

On Sep 18, Bangladesh media outlet Prothom Alo reported that both Mr Aminul and Mr Ruhul were involved as “controllers” of a money laundering syndicate made of 100 agencies that could continue sending migrant workers to enter Malaysia, although recruitment agencies are no longer allowed to send workers to Malaysia since May this year.

Malaysia’s Home Affairs Ministry had set the entry deadline of May 31 after tens of thousands of Bangladeshi migrant workers had become victims of an extensive labour scam in Malaysia whereby they had to pay up to US$5,000 upfront for jobs that did not exist, forcing them to work illegally to pay debts, according to South China Morning Post.

According to local recruitment agency owners in Bangladesh, cited in Prothom Alo, the official registration fee per worker is 2,700 Bangladeshi taka (US$22.59) but workers have been charged a fee of around 107,000 Bangladeshi taka by the syndicate. 

Prothom Alo reported that while 7,000 Bangladeshi taka is obtained by a local collection agency, the remaining 100,000 Bangladeshi taka is sent to Bestinet, through “illegal channels” as a “syndicate fee”. And a sum of 50 billion Bangladeshi taka has been laundered this way, as reported by Prothom Alo. 

Mr Ismail refuted claims of the exorbitant application fee reported by the Bangladeshi local media.

“We do not charge any syndicate fees. We only collect the amount allowed by the Malaysian government,” Mr Ismail said, as quoted by Malaysiakini. 

On Jun 20, Prothom Alo also reported that Mr Ruhul had denied allegations of money laundering.

“Why will everyone give me money, am I so powerful? Aminul Islam is also a businessman. How will the businessmen have control over the labour market?” he was quoted as saying by Prothom Alo. 

According to Bloomberg, the Bangladeshi police had also requested for Malaysia to temporarily halt Bestinet’s proprietary IT system, the Foreign Workers Centralised Management System (FWCMS). 

The Malaysian Immigration Department has utilised the FWCMS platform to monitor and consolidate visa applications from 15 countries (including Bangladesh) exporting labour to Malaysia since 2013.

Related:

Controversial firm managing Malaysia’s migrant worker intake set to renew contract for 3 years under strict terms

Anti-Graft Crackdown in Bangladesh

CNA reported on Aug 27 that the anti-graft crackdown in Bangladesh on the alleged syndicates operating in the export of labour could have serious ramifications for Malaysia. 

The country is host to more than 400,000 documented Bangladesh workers and several thousands more who enter the country illegally, and they make up one of the largest country proportions of foreign workers in the world, which collectively account for roughly 30 per cent of the national workforce that is estimated at 17 million people.

Bangladesh journalists covering the corruption crackdown and executives in Dhaka-based recruitment agencies told CNA in August that the central aim of the crackdown by the ACC is to dismantle a network comprising Bangladesh and Malaysian businesses that has a stranglehold over the recruitment of foreign labour and a major player is Bestinet.

Related:

Commentary: Anwar faces political tricky situation in tackling migrant labour issues

Corruption crackdown in Bangladesh sends tremors through Malaysia’s migrant labour ecosystem

Malaysia’s bid to revamp hiring of foreign workers faces pushback; activists say country’s reputation at stake

6th Nov 2024: Malaysiakini – Amid extradition call, Bestinet founder denies money laundering claim

Sourced from: Malaysiakini – 6th November 2024

Controversial firm Bestinet Sdn Bhd and its founder Aminul Islam Abdul Nor have refuted allegations in a Bloomberg report yesterday that they have links to money laundering or human trafficking. 

Bloomberg reported that the Bangladesh government sent a letter to the Malaysian authorities seeking the arrest and extradition of Bangladesh-born Malaysian citizen Aminul Islam and a Bangladeshi associate Ruhul Amin, on charges of money laundering, extortion and migrant worker trafficking. 

The information was confirmed by the officer serving Interpol in Bangladesh, who also said the Malaysian authorities had replied to ask Bangladesh to send in a formal request, Bloomberg reported yesterday.

Although he did not directly address the extradition issue, Bestinet and Aminul’s lawyer N Sivanathan in a statement today said the article made false insinuation.

“The recent article’s insinuations that Aminul or Bestinet might be involved in illegal practices are completely unfounded.

“Bestinet’s technology is specifically developed to foster transparent and lawful recruitment practices, which are closely monitored and regulated by Malaysian and Bangladeshi government bodies.

“Every aspect of the Foreign Worker Central Management System (FWCMS) platform operates in full compliance with the Malaysian Home Ministry and Immigration Department standards, as well as international guidelines,” he said. 

He added that the entire process involves stringent checks, including authentication by the Bangladesh Embassy in Malaysia “ensuring compliance at multiple levels”.

“Aminul has not, at any point, been involved beyond the officially sanctioned scope of Bestinet’s technology services,” the lawyer said.

Migrant workers must go through FWCMS to enter Malaysia, and Bestinet collects a processing fee of RM100 each from workers.

Bestinet retained earnings of RM128 million and made RM85 million in profits out of RM138.92 million in revenue in the financial year ending Dec 31, 2022, its accounts filed with the Companies Commission Malaysia showed.

PAC’s findings

However, the Public Accounts Committee found that the FWCMS has been operating since 2015 without a formal contract with the government. 

There was, however, a letter of acceptance for the development of the FWCMS system on Jan 12, 2018.

“This means that the government/Home Ministry has used the FWCMS system for approximately six years without a finalised contract, clearly violating the regulations set by the government,” the PAC said in a statement.

It also found security and governance issues, where the system was vulnerable to hacking and that user accounts which should only be held by government staff were accessed by unauthorised individuals.

This included 24 unauthorised users who had approved 24 employer applications.

Despite the issues, the government in June decided to extend the use of the FWCMS for another three years, with improvements to its governance.

Malaysiakini 5th Nov 2024: Bangladesh wants M’sia to extradite Bestinet founder, associate

Bangladesh police have called on Malaysia to arrest and extradite Bestinet founder Aminul Islam Abdul Nor and his associate Ruhul Amin, allegedly on charges of money laundering, extortion and trafficking of migrant workers.

Aminul was the founding chairperson of Bestinet, the company which runs the controversial and lucrative Foreign Worker Central Management System (FWCMS), which the Malaysian government used to process the entry of hundreds of thousands of migrant workers.

Aminul, a Bangladesh-born naturalised Malaysian, is no longer serving as chairperson but still holds shares in the company.

Ruhul, a Bangladeshi national, runs Catharsis International, a Bangladeshi firm also involved in migrant worker management.

The duo are accused of playing key roles in a system which “fraudulently extorted money from the victims” and exposed them to “physical and mental torture”, according to a letter dated Oct 24 sent from Bangladesh’s branch of Interpol to its Malaysian counterpart, which was sighted by Bloomberg.

Bangladesh police officer Ashiqur Rahman, who is part of the country’s Interpol branch, confirmed the letter’s veracity, the news agency reported.

Ashiqur said Malaysian authorities replied to the letter requesting the Bangladesh police to submit a formal extradition request.

Those documents are underway, he added.

The Bangladeshi police’s request is part of a wider investigation into middlepersons and lawmakers involved in sending workers from Bangladesh to Malaysia, Bloombergreported.

In September, Aminul and Ruhul were accused of money laundering in an exposé by Bangladeshi news site Prothom Alo.

At the time, when contacted by Malaysiakini, Bestinet denied the allegations while Ruhul told Prothom Alo he did not do anything illegal.

Aminul did not respond to requests for comment.

The MACC also cleared Bestinet of the allegations.

On Oct 17, Tengku Muda of Pahang Tengku Abdul Rahman Sultan Ahmad Shah resigned from his position as a director of Bestinet, 16 months after assuming the role last June.

Red-flagged by PAC

The company came under the spotlight after it was found operating the lucrative system without a proper agreement with the government.

Migrant workers must go through FWCMS to enter Malaysia, and Bestinet collects a processing fee of RM100 from each worker.

According to its 2022 accounts, tabled to the Companies Commission in June last year, Bestinet retained earnings of RM128 million and made RM85 million in profits out of RM138.92 million in revenue for the financial year ending Dec 31, 2022.

However, in July, the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) found that despite making a lot of money from the FWCMS, there was no contract signed between the government and Bestinet.

There was, however, a letter of acceptance for the development of the FWCMS system on Jan 12, 2018.

“This means that the government/Home Ministry used the FWCMS system for approximately six years without a finalised contract, clearly violating government regulations,” the PAC said in a statement.

In June, the cabinet agreed to extend Bestinet’s contract for another three years, but with improvements in governance.

Oct 21st 2024 BBS: Ex-minister Imran Ahmad on 3-day remand in human trafficking case

DHAKA, Oct 21, 2024 (BSS) – A court here today placed former expatriates’ welfare and overseas employment minister Imran Ahmad on three-day remand in a case lodged over human trafficking and embezzling Taka 24,000 crore by creating manpower recruiting syndicates

See also as background – HERE

Additional Reading:

UCA News 7th Oct 2024: Ending Bangladeshi workers’ Malaysian plight is a test for their leaders

Daily Star 6th Oct 2024: Anwar ibrahim’s visit: A chance to root out graft from labour hiring

SCMP 5th Oct 2024: Malaysia must slash fees, smash cartels to reopen Bangladesh labour market – rights groups

5th Oct 2024: Benar News – Malaysia’s PM Anwar promises Bangladeshi migrant workers will be treated fairly

Reuters Oct 4th 2024: Malaysia PM Anwar Ibrahim to visit Bangladesh, focus on labour issues

Benar News Oct 4th 2024: PM pledges priority for Bangladesh migrant workers who missed out

Daily Star Oct 5th 2024: Diplomacy – Malaysia entry debacle – Anwar Ibrahim to consider issue of Bangladeshi workers

Daily Star Oct 5th 2024: Amending MoU on Malaysia-bound Bangladeshi workers can bring a sea change

Daily Star 5th Oct 2024: 
Labour Export – President seeks support from Malaysia

New Age Oct 5th 2024: Malaysian PM pledges new entry of 18,000 migrant workers from Bangladesh

Background Reading:

20th Sept 2024: Prothmalo – Aminul and Ruhul Amin involved in alleged migrant worker syndicate money ‘laundering’ to Malaysia

20th Sept 2024: Scoop – MACC’s Bestinet probe is ‘NFA’, no proof of other money-laundering claims: Azam Baki

20th Sept 2024: Malaysiakini – Bestinet denies money laundering allegations

Daily Star Sept 7th 2024: Dismantling the recruitment syndicate for Malaysian labour market

FMT 7th July 2024: Use independent experts for migrant system audit, says anti-graft group

MALAYSIAKINI 6th July 2024 C4CENTER COMMENT: Massive migrant labour recruiting issues, cops must probe

NST 6th July 2024: Probe foreign labour recruitment misgovernance highlighted by PAC, govt urged

FMT 6th July 2024: Anti-corruption watchdog demands action over govt-Bestinet deal

Malay Mail 6th July 2024: Home minister says will review PAC criticism over migrant worker system launched without contract

6th July 2024: Migration to Malaysia – Money of all workers who failed to depart as part of alleged criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi workers for forced labour in Malaysia to be refunded

Star 5th July 2024: Mutual termination clause in Bestinet contract puts Putrajaya in ‘challenging position’, says Public Accounts Committee report

4th July 2024 BSS News – Expatriates Minister Shofiqur directs returning money to workers who failed to go to Malaysia

4th July 2024 New Age – Bangladeshi Agencies must refund workers unable to go to Malaysia by July 18: ministry

FMT 4th July 2024: Govt urged to heed PAC’s call on migrant worker system

Star 4th July 2024: Human Resources Ministry to conduct internal audit

Star 4th July 2024: PAC uncovers serious flaws

FMT 3rd July 2024: Decide quickly on direction of migrant worker system in Malaysia, Public Accounts Committee tells govt

Vibes 3rd July 2024: Foreign worker management system operating 6 years without a contract 

3rd July 2024: The Edge – Public Accounts Committee chastises govt for running foreign worker recruitment system for six years without contract

Malaysiakini 3rd July 2024: BESTINET Probe – Public Accounts Committee chief says ‘Datuk Amin’ not among witnesses

3rd July 2024: The Star – Bestinet told Public Accounts Committee unauthorised users were approved by HR Ministry personnel, report shows

FMT 2nd July 2024: Tenaganita letter to Editor – TIP upgrade no cause for celebration just yet

30th June 2024: Somoy News – Bangladeshi High Court orders disclosure of action on Malaysia migrant worker scam (with 500,000+ victims) in 7 days

Malay Mail 25th June 2024: Home minister sees good things for Malaysian businesses after upgrade to US trafficking ranking

The Star 25th June 2024: Malaysia will strive to reach Tier 1 in Trafficking In Persons report, says Saifuddin

Scoop 25th June 2024: Nation’s improved Tier 2 human trafficking ranking ‘dangerously misleading’, says activist

See also MALAYSIAKINI 25th June 2024: M’sia doesn’t deserve Tier 2 in US human trafficking ranking – activist

Daily Star 26th June 2024: Rights activists criticise Malaysia’s improved ranking

See also Benar News 24th June 2024: Malaysia advances in US State Dept’s world rankings for anti-human trafficking efforts

See also FMT 24th June 2024: Malaysia upgraded to Tier 2 in US human trafficking report

See also Benarma 25th June 2024: Malaysia upgraded to Tier 2 in U.S. TIP Report

See also Focus Malaysia 25th June 2024: Migrant workers’ activist – Malaysia doesn’t deserve Tier 2 upgrade in 2024 US human trafficking report

See also 25th June 2024: Home Ministry welcomes country’s Tier 2 upgrade on Trafficking in Persons 2024 report

See also FMT 25th June 2024: Home ministry open to working with NGOs against human trafficking

See also Star 25th June 2024: Malaysia upgraded to Tier 2 in latest Trafficking in Persons report

SCMP 25th June 2024: Malaysia’s upgrade in US human trafficking index decried as ‘disappointing’ amid migrant worker woes

24th June 2024 Exclusive Analysis: CNA – Extension of Malaysia’s controversial migrant labour ecosystem (involving BESTINET) a blow to PM Anwar’s reform agenda 

See New Strait Times 24th June 2024: Malaysian Government Forms Committee to Review Terms of Bestinet’s 3 Year Extension

FMT 24th June 2024: Bestinet contract extended, confirms Saifuddin – ‘Home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail says the Cabinet decided in principle on the extension ‘several weeks ago’.

Malay Mail 24th June 2024: Home Minister – Bestinet keeps foreign worker system contract for three more years, but with stricter terms

Bernama News 24th June 2024: Committee set up to Peruse Terms and Conditions of BESTINET Contract

FMT 24th June 2024: Bestinet to surrender control of workers management system under new deal

FMT 24th June 2024: Bestinet should be phased out eventually, says ex-MP

Malaysianist 18th June 2024: Minting money from a migrant services monopoly (click to subscribe for full article)

9th June 2024 Daily Star – Labour Recruitment from Bangladesh to Malaysia: Syndicate wins, migrants suffer, country loses(excellent summary how bad triumphed, carnage resulted – Bangladesh and Malaysia MUST be downgraded to Tier 3 in the upcoming U.S. TIP report!)

Dhaka Tribune 11th June 2024: Deadline extended for Malaysia migration hurdle complaints

Business Standard 11th June: Unrest within Baira over Malaysian labour market, ruckus in AGM as committee members assaulted 

Observer 9th June 2024: Around 2,900 complaints lodged by deprived Malaysia-bound migrants

Malaysianist 6th June 2024: The fat cat ruling the Malaysian migrant services roost(allegations of systemic corruption involving Malaysia’s migrant worker management systems – click to subscribe)

Business Standard 5th June 2024: Govt to take action over failure in sending workers to Malaysia: PM Hasina

4th June 2024 Daily Star (Op Ed): Break the syndicates, not the dreams of Malaysia-bound workers

SCMP 4th June 2024 – In Malaysia, business and human rights must go hand in hand, UN rights chief says in KL press conference against backdrop of systemic migrant worker abuses

New Straits Times 4th June 2024: Human rights-centric practices essential for foreign investment, says UN

4th June 2024 Business Standard: NHRC orders probe into alleged embezzlement of Tk150cr from Malaysia-bound workers

4th June 2024 Business Standard: 47,809 Bangladeshis flew to Malaysia in May – highest since labour market reopened in 2022

Daily Sun 3rd June: IRREGULARITIES IN MIGRATION TO MALAYSIA – Recruiting agencies never made accountable(good historical summary)

Business Standard 4th June 2024:Dhaka-20, Feni-2 MPs deny allegations of involvement in embezzling money from Malaysia-bound workers

SCMP 3rd June 2024: ‘Nothing left for me’ as thousands of Bangladeshi workers lose everything in failed bid to work in Malaysia

Daily Star Editorial 3rd June 2024: Must our migrants pay the price every time?

Prothomalo 3rd June 2024 – Bangladesh Labour market: Hapless workers lose all vying to go to Malaysia

Daily Sun 3rd June 2024: IRREGULARITIES IN MIGRATION TO MALAYSIA: Recruiting agencies never made accountable

FMT 3rd June 2024: 17,000 Bangladeshi workers stranded, Dhaka pleads for time

Daily Star 3rd June 2024: 16,970 Bangladeshis failed to reach Malaysia for mismanagement, more destitution and modern slavery will result

Daily Star 3rd June 2024 – Bangladeshi Migrant Worker Exploitation and Malaysian Labour Market Alleged Criminal Syndicate: The agencies picked by KL to blame, Bangladesh tells UN OHCHR

Daily Star 2nd June 2024: Controversial recruitment system to stay 3 more years

Daily Star 2nd June – Jobs in Malaysia: Mismanagement left over 3k workers with no ticket to KL

Daily Star 1st June 2024: Must history repeat itself with the Malaysian labour market’s alleged criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi migrant workers for forced labour

MALAYSIAKINI June 1st 2024: Controversial worker management system BESTINET gets new lease, sources say

1st June 2024 Kalerkantho: Malaysia’s dream ends in deprivation for Bangladeshi migrant workers of criminal syndicate

FMT 31st May 2024: Expect Bangladeshi workers to be stranded and at high risk of modern slavery following Malaysian migration management deadline rush, warns activist

SCMP 31st May 2024: Malaysians shocked by thousands of Bangladeshis crowding at airport to beat deadline for legal work, as UN and activists warn of increased modern slavery risks

CNA 31st May 2024: Over 30,000 workers set to miss deadline to enter Malaysia even as officials clear backlog at KL airport

Prothomalo 31 May 2024 – Bangladesh – Malaysia’s labour market: Repeated syndicates, repeated closure

Prothomalo 31st May 2024: Bangladesh – Thousands of people crowded Dhaka airport without flight tickets to go to Malaysia

31st May 2024 FMT: Govt reaffirms commitment to protect migrant workers’ rights to UN

31st May 2024: The closure of the labor market in Malaysia has shattered the dreams of 31,000 workers

Daily Star 31 May 2024 – Recruitment in Malaysia: Syndicate siphons over $1b out of Bangladesh

Daily Sun 31st May 2024: Biman sends 2,000 migrant workers to Malaysia

Business Standard 31st May 2024: Malaysia-bound workers scammed, stranded at Dhaka airport as deadline set to expire today

Daily Star 30th May 2024: Manpower syndicates beyond Dhaka-KL control

30th May 2024: Comment by Andy Hall, independent migrant worker rights specialist, on ongoing migrant worker management crisis in Malaysia and at KLIA airport today, Bangladeshi workers at high risk of modern slavery

CNA 30th May 2024: ‘Congestion’ at KL airport as employers scramble to bring in thousands of migrant workers before deadline

MALAYSIAKINI 30th May 2023: ‘Migrants influx at KLIA due to employers chasing deadline’

30th May 2024 Benar News: Malaysia’s labor market closed – Migrant workers flock to airports in all countries

29th May Daily Star: Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia – Hiring begins with bribery (UN independent experts say Bangladeshi workers pay up to 8 times for migration alone due to corruption of Malaysia ministries, Bangladesh mission and syndicates)

29th May Daily Star: Airfare to Malaysia surges fivefold

FMT 28th May 2024: Malaysia yet to respond to UN concerns on alleged criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi migrant victims for forced labour in the country(with my full statement included)

For Immediate Release 27th May 2024: Statement by Andy Hall, Independent Migrant Worker Rights Specialist, on today’s public release of UN OHCHR’s unanswered urgent appeal communications to the Malaysian and Bangladeshi Governments 

30th May Star: Cyclone smashes Bangladeshi workers’ hopes, extension requested

Channel News Asia 25th May 2024: Malaysia’s bid to revamp hiring of foreign workers through controversial BESTINET process faces pushback; activists say country’s reputation at stake

22nd May 2024: UN expert – Malaysian law enforcement mixing up human trafficking, migrant smuggling – “What steps has Malaysia taken to investigate alleged complicity of public officials in human trafficking?’’

20th May 2024 FMT: Duped Bangladeshi workers won’t impact Malaysia’s US Human trafficking report ranking, says HR Minister Sim

Malay Mail 17th May 2024: Pengerang employer to face Labour Court in Malaysia after failing for months to pay Bangladeshi workers’ wages over RM1m (government statements and my comments included – months on, court agreed mediation settlement unforced, workers allegedly remain in situation akin to acute modern slavery)

16th May 2024: Firm that left over 700 Bangladeshi workers to dry in Pengerang facing possible prosecution (months on, court agreed mediation settlement unforced, workers allegedly remain in situation akin to acute modern slavery)

14th May 2024: FMT – Activists warn of US trafficking report downgrade for Malaysia amid UN criticism

May 10th 2024 The Star: Malaysian Government responds to OHCHR, IOM, ILO and UNODC joint condemnation on alleged Bangaldeshi migrant worker criminal syndicate by pledging to set up special unit handling migrant workers’ grievances, says HR Minister Sim

9th May 2024: Study: 96% of Bangladeshi workers going to Malaysia fall into recruitment debt– The study also said that 82% had two or more loans and 73% of workers spent at least 50% to 100% of their monthly salary to repay recruitment debts

4th May 2024: UN agencies concerned over Bangladeshi workers stranded in Malaysia – Joint Statement of ILO, IOM and UNODC on Alleged Criminal Syndicate Trafficking Bangladeshi Workers for Forced Labour in Malaysia

24th April 2024: Address plight of duped Bangladeshi migrant workers in Malaysia in response to UN warning, govt told (more on the ongoing saga of an alleged criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi migrant workers for forced labour in Malaysia)

19th April 2024: UN (OHCHR) Statement on Alleged Criminal Syndicate Trafficking Bangladeshi Workers for Forced Labour in Malaysia – ‘Malaysia: Bangladeshi workers must be protected from exploitation and criminalisation, say UN experts’

FMT 19th April 2024: UN experts sound alarm over plight of duped Bangladeshi migrants in Malaysia

For more on Andy Hall’s complaint to the OHCHR see 30th Oct 2023: FMT: Andy Hall refers stranded Bangladeshi workers’ plight in Malaysia to UN Human Rights Council

See Daily Star 23rd Apr 2024: Bangladesh Plight of Migrant Workers – Bangladesh, Malaysia working group meeting likely in May

See Daily Star Editorial 23rd Apr 2024: When even legal migrants suffer – Workers migrating to Malaysia legally deserve better protection 

Business Standard 23rd April 2024: Expat Ministry reviews UN complaints on Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia

Prothomalo 23rd April 2024: Bangladesh – Ministry reviewing allegations over Malaysia labour market

BenarNews Malay Language: Pakar PBB gesa Malaysia tangani layanan buruk diterima pekerja Bangladesh (UN expert urges Malaysia to handle bad treatment received by Bangladeshi workers)

Daily Star 19th Apr 2024: UN experts express dismay over situation of Bangladeshi migrants in Malaysia

FMT 19th Apr 2024: PSM, news portal set aside order to stop debate on migrant workers’ plight

Daily Star Editorial 17th April 2024: Save our migrants in Malaysia (more on the crisis caused by an alleged criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi workers for forced labour in Malaysia)

9th April 2024 The Star – Bangladeshi victims of criminal syndicate trafficking worked for forced labour in Malaysia: ‘Cops after workers, not rogue employers’

7th April 2024: SCMP – As Malaysia’s door closes on low-paid migrant workers, companies scramble for staff (and a systemically corrupt migration management and recruitment policy, devoid of the rule of law and leading to impunity and gross exploitation, is revealed)

6th April 2024 Daily Star: A hostel of nightmares for Bangladeshi migrants allegedly trafficked by criminal syndicate for forced labour in Malaysia (and Daily Star Op Ed)

Daily Star Editorial 6th Apr 2024: What will happen to migrants abandoned in Malaysia?

26th March 2024: The Star – Freeze on foreign workers hiring quota in Malaysia stays for now, says HR Minister (with estimated 200,000+ surplus foreign workforce victims facing destitution and abuse)

25th March 2024: Bangladeshi workers (alleged victims of criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi workers for forced labour in Malaysia) claim being coerced into withdrawing police and labour complaints

Daily Star 25th Mar: Malaysia employer framed Bangladeshi workers

Daily Star 24th Mar 2024: Jailed in Malaysia – 3 Bangladesh workers released

Editorial Prothomalo 24th Mar 2024: Malaysian labour market – Take action against the fraud syndicate

FMT 23rd March 2024: PSM calls on Sim to look into arrest of Bangladeshi workers

MALAYSIAKINI 23 Mar 2024: Stranded foreign workers (alleged victims of criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi workers for forced labour in Malaysia) nabbed after labour complaints against employer

23rd March 2024 The Star: Half a million vulnerable and irregular foreign workers disappear from Malaysia’s migrant worker regularization programme as deadline looms in one week

23 Mar 2024 The Star: Verification rate lags as RTK 2.0 deadline approaches

22nd March 2024 Malay Mail: Home minister – Over RM9m in fines collected so far through migrant repatriation programme

22nd March 2024 Protomalo: Malaysian labour market set to be closed again due to syndication

20th March 2024: 93 duped/detained Bangladeshi migrant workers in Malaysia have jobs now, says immigration DG

20th Mar 2024 Business Standard: Bangladeshi workers’ plight in Malaysia: Coalition of migration orgs demand action against recruiting agency syndicate

19th March 2024: FMT – Plantation firms wary of ‘forced labour’ concerns in hiring 200,000 surplus foreign workers/criminal syndicate victims in Malaysia, says minister – indeed he’s right, who wants to take on destitute foreign workers often with US$4-7000 in debt?

17th March 2024: FMT – Malaysia’s treatment of migrant workers utterly shameful

New Age 16th Mar 2024: Bangladeshi government must mend issues to keep Malaysia job market open

15th March 2024 SCMP: Malaysians deride minister’s idea to rebrand palm oil workers as ‘specialised harvesters’

14th March 2024: The Star – Opinion: When work in Malaysia is a con – the criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshis for forced labour in Malaysia

FMT 13th March 2024: Bangladeshi migrants file police reports after falling victim to job scam/criminal syndicate trafficking workers from Bangladesh for forced labour in Malaysia

12th March 2024: SCMP – Malaysia to slash migrant workforce amid intolerance, job scam crisis involving Bangladeshi labourers

FMT 11th Mar 2024: Duped migrant jobseekers, victims of alleged criminal syndicate trafficking Bangaldeshi workers to Malaysia for forced labour, face mental health issues, says Malaysian ex-MP

Daily Star Editorial 10th March 2024: Migrating to a life of unemployment

Daily Star 10th Mar 2024: Distressed in Malaysia – Thousands of Bangladeshi migrants jobless, unpaid or underpaid 

9th March 2024: Malay Mail – Activists warn rushed 31st March visa deadline in Malaysia could force firms to source foreign workers unethically (includes my commentary on the abrupt policy change)

9th Mar 2024 The Star: No extension of May 31 foreign worker deadline

NST 9th Mar 2024: Keep recruitment agencies in a list rather than shutting them down, govt told   

See also NST 9th Mar 2024: Sourcing migrant workers takes time, ‘not like buying cattle’, employer groups tell govt

NST 8th Mar 2024: Eliminate middlemen from migrant worker recruitment process, govt told

Star 8th Mar 2024: May 31 deadline for foreign workers recruitment under recalibration programme remains, says Saifuddin

Malay Mail 8th Mar 2024: Saifuddin Nasution: No more agents for Bangladeshi worker recruitment

6th Mar 2024: Malaysian government halts foreign worker entry into the country from 31st May 2024 (final calling visa/VDN approval issuance deadline 31st March 2024) as migrant worker management crisis worsens and victims of gross exploitation, unemployment and destitution rise significantly

6th March 2024: Business Times –Sudden change in foreign worker policy by Malaysian government leaves industry in limbo

6th Mar 2024 Edge: Foreign worker intake deadline changes will leave manufacturers in the lurch, says FMM

6th Mar 2024 FMT: Industry players shocked by foreign worker policy change, says FMM

Mar 5 2024: NCCIM urges govt to review unused foreign worker quota deadline

4th March 2024 URGENT call for donations/support: joining forces with HOPE SELANGOR to fill gap in providing humanitarian aid and assistance to victims of criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi workers into forced labour in Malaysia

Mar 3rd 2024: Concern on repatriation of potential trafficking and forced labour/abuse victims under Malaysian Migrant Worker Repatriation Programme Commencing 1st March 2024 (Statement by Andy Hall, Independent Migrant Worker Rights Specialist)

FMT 3rd Mar 2024: Ensure ‘crooks’ do not gain from repatriation programme, says activist

Mar 2nd 2024 The Star: A chance for illegals to go home

Mar 2nd 2024 The Star: Sarawak immigration extends RTK2.0 until June

Mar 1st 2024 FMT: 600,000 foreign workers urged to take easy exit home

Mar 1st 2024 The Star: Use repatriation programme to return home, 600,000 illegals told

Feb 28th 2024 The Star: New programme lets migrants off the hook without being prosecuted

Feb 25th 2024 The Star: Businesses want foreign worker hiring freeze lifted

Jan 31st 2024 NST: Govt to implement Migrant Repatriation Programme starting March

Jan 31st 2024 The Edge: Cabinet agrees to extend freeze on hiring of foreign workers, says home minister 

31st Jan 2024 FMT: Migrant repatriation programme set for March 1

31st Jan 2024 The Star: Migration Repatriation Programme to commence on March 1, says Home Ministry

FMT 6th Jan 2024: 171 duped migrant workers deserve compensation, govt told (includes my full statement)

5th Jan 2024: New Strait Times – MCA: Don’t just fine employers, hold ministry accountable as well for unemployed foreign workers

FMT 30th Dec 2023: Migrants being duped into Malaysia because of govt’s failure to curb criminal trafficking syndicates and organised crime network, says activist Andy Hall

30th Dec 2023: New Strait Times – Recruitment agencies accused of deception as Bangladeshi victims speak out on exploitation and fear

29th Dec 2023: Malay Mail – Set up probe on exploitation of migrant workers and new ministry to manage their affairs, Suhakam tells Putrajaya

28th Dec 2023: FMT – Malaysia has entered ‘slave labour’ territory, says ex-MP – Charles Santiago calls for specific set-ups to manage migrant workers 

27th Dec 2023: New Strait Times – MTUC demand govt, MACC probe into corrupt recruitment practices of foreign workers

26th Dec 2023: FMT – High recruitment fees make greedy agents bring in workers, says group

25th Dec 2023: FMT – Probe recruitment agents, MACC told after arrest of Bangladeshis

22nd Nov 2023: MALAYSIAKINI – Full probe of migrant worker syndicate, Malaysian HR Minister Sivakumar says

9th Nov 2023: Malaysia – The State of the Nation: Flaws of foreign worker system laid bare in declassified report

30th Oct 2023: FMT: Andy Hall refers stranded Bangladeshi workers’ plight in Malaysia to UN Human Rights Council

23rd Oct 2023: RESPONSE FROM THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCES IN REGARDS TO AN ARTICLE BY MR. ANDY HALL/HR Minister – strict actions against employers who fail to comply with Malaysia’s labour and immigration laws

20th Oct 2023 Malaysiakini: Long-awaited foreign worker management report declassified in Malaysia (my comments added)

19th Oct 2023: Malaysia facing huge excess of 1/4 million migrant laborers

21st Sep 2023: Malaysian government has 15 source countries for foreign workers – Comments by Andy Hall

20th Sep 2023: Rate of abused Bangladeshi workers’ entry into Malaysia worrying, says migrant rights activist Andy Hall

12th July 2023: excellent final offering from a 4 part account of atypical modern-day slavery, forced labour and abuse perpetrated against a group of migrant workers from Bangladesh in Malaysia, written concisely and passionately by former MP from Malaysia Charles Santiago

Aljazeera News TV 10th July 2023 – Migrants in Malaysia: Hundreds left stranded in recruitment scam

The post Malaysiakini 31 July 2025 – ‘Source: Bangladesh to stop probing migrant workers exploitation syndicate’ appeared first on Andy Hall.

We’re deeply moved to see this outpouring of solidarity from the Migrant Worker Communities

This powerful message from Migrant Workers Helpline, reminds us what this fight is all about: defending the rights and dignity of those who are too often silenced or criminalized for speaking up.

From workers holding signs that say “We support Andy Hall” and “Defending the rights of migrant workers is NOT a crime” — this is a clear reminder that Andy Hall’s work continues to resonate far beyond courtrooms.

Let’s keep up the momentum. Please continue to share and support the fundraiser: https://fundrazr.com/fundrazerforandyhall

Facebook Post – https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15njMYPSux/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Read more on Andy Hall’s Fundraiser Overturn Unjust Conviction for Whistleblowing: Qatar below:

For Immediate Release 17th July 2025: Justice Abroad is representing Labour Rights Activist Andy Hall to Overturn Unjust In Absentia Conviction in Qatar

Fundraise for Andy Hall to Overturn Unjust Conviction for Whistleblowing: Qatar

The post Update: Heartfelt Support from Migrant Worker Communities for Andy Hall appeared first on Andy Hall.

Kawaguchi facing charges over unpaid worker wages, says source

A law firm representing the affected workers says the charges relate to the company’s purported failure to comply with a labour court’s orders in high profile Japanese consumer goods. The labour department has filed charges against plastic component supplier Kawaguchi Manufacturing Sdn Bhd — now known as Alpha Integral Sdn Bhd — over its alleged failure to pay outstanding wages to 249 former employees, a source said.

Sourced from: FMT by FMT Reporters – July 17th 2025

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the source said the case was called up in court on July 16 but was postponed as the department’s officers were unable to serve the summons on the company or its director.

“As a result the court fixed a new date in September to allow the prosecution time to serve the summons,” the source said.

Louis Liaw Chambers, the law firm representing the affected workers, told FMT the charges relate to the company’s purported failure to comply with orders issued by a labour court.

Kawaguchi Manufacturing had in December last year agreed to pay the workers their salary arrears in nine instalments, beginning January 15, with the rest due monthly from April 2025 until November 2025.

The agreements were reached after the former workers staged a peaceful protest at the company’s factory in Port Klang. They agreements were recorded in orders issued by the labour court.

The company made the first payment, but is alleged to have missed payments due in April, May, June and July.

Last Friday, it was reported that the workers’ lawyers had issued the company with a letter of demand giving it until July 21 to settle all overdue payments or risk further legal action.

Kawaguchi Manufacturing is understood not to have responded to the letter or met any of the outstanding payments.

Separately, independent migrant worker rights activist Andy Hall said the labour department’s decision to take Kawaguchi Manufacturing to court was “timely and appropriate”.

“Accountability is essential and deeply personal for the exploited workers in this case,” he said when contacted.

However, Hall expressed concern that victims of “modern slavery” are still required to fund their own legal representation.

17th July 2025 FMT: Kawaguchi in Malaysia served letter of demand over close to RM3mil in unpaid wages to modern slavery victims 

Kawaguchi served letter of demand over close to RM3mil in unpaid wages

FMT Reporters

Lawyers for 249 former workers of the plastic component supplier warn of court action if overdue payments are not settled by July 21.

Sourced from: https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2025/07/18/kawaguchi-served-lod-over-nearly-rm3mil-in-unpaid-wages

PETALING JAYA:

A plastic component supplier has been served a letter of demand over nearly RM3 million in unpaid wages allegedly owed to 249 former workers.

Lawyers from Louis Liaw Chambers said Kawaguchi Manufacturing Sdn Bhd, now known as Alpha Integral Sdn Bhd, failed to comply with labour court-sanctioned settlements signed in December 2024.

The agreement was reached after the former workers staged a peaceful protest at the company’s factory in Port Klang.

Under the agreement, the company was supposed to pay the workers in nine instalments, starting on Jan 15, with the rest due monthly until November 2025.

The company made the first payment but missed four payments due in April, May, June and July, the lawyers alleged.

“In particular, you have failed, refused, and/or neglected to pay our clients the required instalment payments that were due on April 15, May 15, June 15 and July 15, as per the settlement agreement and labour court order,” read the letter sighted by FMT.

The company has until July 21 to settle the overdue payments, failing which the lawyers said they may pursue legal options, including converting the labour court awards into court judgments, enforcement actions such as winding-up proceedings, and imposing interest charges of 8% annually.

The lawyers also warned that the company’s directors and managers could face personal fines under the Employment Act for failing to comply with the labour court’s order.

They added that changing the company’s name from Kawaguchi to Alpha Integral does not remove its legal obligations.

Alpha Integral did not immediately respond to FMT’s request for comment.

FMT 16th June 2025: Multinational corporation SONY comes to aid of Bangladeshi former Kawaguchi workers in modern slavery case in Malaysia

Sony steps in to ease the burden on 283 reported to have gone without pay for seven months.

A Japanese multinational corporation has provided monetary aid to some 283 Bangladeshi workers who had reportedly gone without pay for seven months last year under a different company, an international human rights group said.

Original Source: FMT Reporters – 16th June 2025

Sony took “meaningful and proactive steps to assist the workers, including providing much-needed financial assistance”, International Rights Advocates (IRAdvocates) said.

However, it did not disclose the amount.

“IRAdvocates applauds Sony for taking a constructive approach towards this situation and is grateful to Sony for its cooperation,” the group’s founder and executive director, Terrence Collingsworth, said in a statement.

Collingsworth said that when issues concerning the migrant workers first surfaced, IRAdvocates raised the matter with their previous employer, Kawaguchi Nanufacturing Sdn Bhd, and certain manufacturers who were Kawaguchi’s downstream customers.

One such manufacturer was Sony, he said.

To its credit, Sony raised its concerns with Kawaguchi and requested that the company promptly implement corrective measures after the allegations emerged, he said.

He said Sony also stopped doing business with Kawaguchi.

Collingsworth said the Kawaguchi case is a powerful reminder that change is possible when corporations genuinely embrace accountability and collaboration.

“IRAdvocates applaud Sony’s constructive action, highlighting a path forward where companies uphold human rights sincerely, beyond mere words and empty promises,” he said.

On Dec 18, it was reported that Kawaguchi had agreed to pay its foreign employees their overdue salaries, with the Putrajaya labour office agreeing to arrange for them to be employed by other companies.

The company reached the decision five days after the workers held a peaceful protest outside the factory in Port Klang to demand the salaries owed to them.

Separately, migrant labour rights activist Andy Hall, who referred the case to Collingsworth late last year, said Sony should be applauded for emulating Daikin Industries Ltd.

In December, it was reported that Daikin, the world’s largest air-conditioner manufacturer, contributed US$12,000 to the affected foreign workers in emergency food and medical aid. It also provided an additional amount of financial aid to each worker.

“The money Sony has provided is significant and will provide yet more respite for these victims of modern slavery, who remain in severe situations of debt bondage,” Hall told FMT.

—

International Rights Associates (IRA/Terence Collingsworth) full public statement on Sony settlement for immediate release on 16/6/2025 – When Multinationals Choose Collaboration over Conflict.pdfDownload

Associated Press 21st May 2025: Migrant workers in Malaysia seek unpaid wages from Kawaguchi, a supplier to Japanese companies Panasonic, Sony, Daikin, Hisense and others

HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — Around 280 Bangladeshi migrant workers in Malaysia are demanding hundreds of thousands of dollars in back wages and other money owed to them after their former employer, a plastic parts supplier to big Japanese companies, closed down. Kawaguchi workers protest 

Original Source: AP News by ANIRUDDHA GHOSAL – May 21, 2025

(Full video on site) 

The workers at Kawaguchi Manufacturing’s factory in Port Klang, Malaysia’s largest port city, were left stranded when the company withheld their wages for up to eight months before shutting down late last year. The workers have filed complaints in Malaysia and back home in Bangladesh. A motorcyclist rides past a Kawaguchi Manufacturing factory in Klang, Malaysia, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Azneal Ishak)

Such disputes have become a diplomatic sore point between Bangladesh and Malaysia, drawing scrutiny on a small but powerful group of recruitment agencies and middlemen who monopolize such jobs. Bangladeshi workers from Kawaguchi company protest in front of the closed factory in late December 2024

Asif Nazrul, an adviser to Bangladesh’s expatriate welfare ministry, met with Malaysia’s Home Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong in Kuala Lumpur last week. Officials were due to meet again Wednesday in Dhaka, the Bangladesh capital. 

The interim government that took over in Bangladesh after the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has placed a higher priority on the plight of migrant workers who often get trapped in debt after paying exorbitant recruitment fees to work in dismal conditions for little pay. Bangladeshi migrant workers eat a meal at their dormitory in Klang, Malaysia, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Azneal Ishak).A Bangladeshi migrant worker takes a shower at his dormitory in Klang, Malaysia, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Azneal Ishak).A Bangladeshi migrant worker rests on a dormitory bed in Klang, Malaysia, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Azneal Ishak)

Labor advocates say the situation is worsening as more people from across South Asia, sometimes losing their livelihoods due to climate change, seek work in Southeast Asia.

Trade tensions between the U.S. and China have accelerated that trend as factories move from China to places in Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and elsewhere.

Workers allege abuse

The workers have received just 251,000 ringgit ($58,101) of the more than 3 million ringgit ($694,444) in back wages that a Malaysian labor tribunal ordered Kawaguchi to pay. Many have found new jobs but still have heavy debts after borrowing money to pay hefty recruitment fees.

The workers allege they were sometimes required to work without breaks for 24-hour shifts and on holidays with no paid overtime, making plastic casings for televisions and air conditioners. They say Kawaguchi confiscated their passports, provided inadequate housing and delayed their visa renewals.

The factory shut down in December, soon after Sony Group and Panasonic Holdings Corp., two of Kawaguchi’s main customers, halted their orders in response to the allegations against their supplier.A bicycle passes in front of a Kawaguchi Manufacturing factory in Klang, Malaysia, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Azneal Ishak)Read More

After the factory closed, the workers say Malaysian officials forcibly sent many of them to another city some 360 kilometers (220 miles) away to toil in new factory jobs without giving them any information. They were kept in filthy shipping containers converted into dormitories. Another 80 workers were told to work in palm oil plantations — but refused. 

Most made their way back to Port Klang to seek work and chip away at the debts that have been accumulating. It took nearly three months for them to get permission from the Malaysian government to switch jobs.

The Associated Press got no response to multiple requests to Kawaguchi for comment. Malaysia’s labor department also didn’t respond to requests for comment.

Md Kabir Hossain’s case is typical. The 19-year-old said he borrowed more than $4,000 to get to Malaysia from his hometown Rangpur in Bangladesh in November 2023, after his family’s textile shop began to fail. The family’s sole wage earner, he defaulted on one of his loans and wasn’t able to send money back home, as his family struggled to keep their shop going.

“I am constantly worried about what will happen to my family,” he said.

Another worker, Parvez Azam said he didn’t know how much longer he could keep going. “If this goes on, we’ll die here,” he said.

Wider trends across developing Asia

A uniform used by a migrant worker at Kawaguchi Manufacturing is seen hanging in a dormitory in Klang, Malaysia, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Azneal Ishak)

Factories in Malaysia and other countries in Southeast Asia rely on migrant workers, often from Bangladesh, Myanmar and Nepal, to fill labor-intensive jobs in manufacturing, plantations, or construction that local workers won’t perform for the wages offered. 

The cost of recruitment and migration from Bangladesh to Malaysia is among the most expensive in the world, according to the International Labor Organization’s office in Bangladesh.A Bangladeshi migrant worker watches Bangladeshi news on his phoneat a dormitory in Klang, Malaysia, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Azneal Ishak).

The official recruitment fee is about $650 per worker. But all the workers at Kawaguchi said they paid nearly $5,000. The loans they took to pay such sums has pushed them into debt bondage as they labor to pay off ever mounting debts.

In 2023, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia should end use of recruitment agents, describing the system as “modern slavery.” But a 2024 study of Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia found that more than 70% had spent at least half of their wages to pay off recruitment debts. Most have at least two loans and many said they were misled about their wages.

Nearly everyone who migrates overseas from Bangladesh, one of the countries most affected by climate change, has suffered at least one form of modern slavery, like withholding of wages or physical violence, according to a study by the London-based think tank International Institute for Environment and Development. 

Mohamad Mohosin, 38, said he moved to Malaysia when his crops failed because of extreme weather. After going months without being paid his debt has spiraled, forcing his large family in Bangladesh to borrow still more money. “My family is in trouble,” he said.Bangladeshi migrant worker Mohamad Mohosin, 38, speaks during an interview with the Associated Press at a dormitory in Klang, Malaysia, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Azneal Ishak)

Among migrant workers, Bangladeshis often end up in the riskiest jobs, such as plantation work where they can catch mosquito-borne diseases, or physically demanding factory or construction roles, where the likelihood of accidents is higher, said Shariful Islam Hasan of BRAC.

“Despite the high risk and the high migration cost, salaries are too low,” he said.

Seeking help from Japan

Panasonic, Sony and Daikin, three of Kawaguchi’s former main customers among about a dozen, agreed to cover an estimated $1.3 million of the recruitment costs paid by the workers. It’s unclear how much each company is contributing.

“This doesn’t cover all the workers’ costs, including interest rates of up to 30% they must pay on their loans,” said Andy Hall, a British labor activist who has been helping the workers. Many have also defaulted on their debts after going months without wages. 

“They’re absolutely desperate and they’re at very high risk of falling into even worse situations,” Hall said.Bangladeshi migrant workers play cards in a dormitory in Klang, Malaysia, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Azneal Ishak).

Daikin settled with the workers, agreeing to pay them more, although it says it accounted for only 1% to 2% of Kawaguchi’s orders. The air conditioner manufacturer told AP it was working with human rights groups to resolve any remaining issues. 

Panasonic said it was “proportionally reimbursing the recruitment fees” paid by workers and had asked Kawaguchi to correct labor violations. It said it tried to support Kawaguchi but had to disengage from the company due to its financial woes and anticipated production problems.

Sony told AP its code of conduct prohibits abusive labor practices in its supply chain. After investigating, it demanded corrective measures. “When our demands were not satisfied, we terminated our relationship with this supplier,” it said.

The workers are seeking more help and lawyer Terry Collingsworth of U.S.-based International Rights Advocates, who is representing them, said that they were in discussions with Sony and Panasonic.

“We are not asking you to admit liability. We are asking you to comply with your public commitment to remediate when one of your suppliers violates the human rights of its workers,” said a Jan. 16 letter from Collingsworth to Sony and Panasonic.Kawaguchi workers protests in December 2024

ANIRUDDHA GHOSAL

Ghosal covers the intersection of business and climate change in southeast Asia for The Associated Press. He is based out of Hanoi in Vietnam.

—

All the latest on the Kawaguchi case, including company responses and timeline, available on the BHRRC website outlined below and at https://www.bhrrc.org/en/latest-news/malaysia-plastics-co-supplying-to-panasonic-sony-daikin-accused-of-violating-rights-of-bangladeshi-workers-with-indicators-of-forced-labour-incl-cos-responses/

*International Trade Today January 15, 2025 Vol. 41, No. 10: Foreign Workers to Sue Sony and Panasonic Over Forced Labor *

Foreign workers from Bangladesh are preparing to sue Sony and Panasonic in U.S. court over forced labor conditions at their former employer in Malaysia, Kawaguchi Manufacturing, a plastics supplier for the two companies.

The workers are alleging “exploitation, mistreatment, and non-payment of wages,” migrant worker rights activist Andy Hall said in a blog post.

Additionally, he alleges that the workers were forced to pay recruitment fees and had their passports taken away by the company.

Hall already has submitted a trade violation complaint with CBP.

The companies, which confirmed the allegations of forced labor at Kawaguchi in December (see 2412060061), offered to pay the workers $4,400 each, which would not be enough to cover the recruitment fees.

“A number of workers are still in significant debt and at risk of debt bondage,” Hall said.

The lawyer representing the workers, Terrence Collingsworth of International Rights Advocates, said that he is “frankly disgusted” by the companies’ lack of responsiveness, but that he is sending a third letter this week to try to settle the matter out of court, not having received replies to his first two letters.

“There’s no question that we will file a case [in court] if they don’t wish to be more constructive,” Collingsworth said.

Collingsworth also is appealing a decision by the Court of International Trade that his organization doesn’t have standing to challenge CBP’s inaction in responding to a petition to ban cocoa from Cote d’Ivoire (see 2408160009 and 2408080049).

“The companies were hoping to just pay the recruitment fees. But they worked under forced labor conditions, they were trafficked and are owed compensation,” Collingsworth said.

“My interest is getting the workers a reasonable amount of money in addition to the [$4,400] so they can move on.”

—

ABC News: Over 200 migrant workers at a plastics factory in Malaysia that supplies to Sony and Panasonic haven’t been paid for over six months

Forced overtime, withheld passports and dirty living conditions are other abuses that have been raised to the Japanese electronics giants.

After investigating the abuses they are severing ties with the company. But activists say
“cutting and running” leaves workers in a more precarious position.

See ABC’s full story at https://www.instagram.com/reel/DD6WXQjJxj5/?igsh=amVwdDFmOTU4NWk5 and https://amp.abc.net.au/article/104705876

OECD COMPLAINT FILED

Employees of Kawaguchi Manufacturing vs. Kawaguchi Manufacturing, Sony and Panasonic

Labour rights violations at supplier to Sony and Panasonic

https://www.oecdwatch.org/complaint/employees-of-kawaguchi-manufacturing-vs-kawaguchi-manufacturing-sony-and-panasonic/Date filed: 27 December 2024

• Due diligence,
• Forced labour,
• Human rights,
• Supply chain

Countries of harm

• Malaysia

Current status

FiledSector

• Manufacturing

NCP

• NCP Japan

Allegations

On 27 December 2024, 251 workers of Kawaguchi Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd. (“Kawaguchi Manufacturing”), represented by lawyers, filed a complaint against Kawaguchi Manufacturing, Sony Corporation (“Sony”) and Panasonic Corporation (“Panasonic”) at the Japanese NCP. The complaint concerns alleged labour rights violations at Kawaguchi Manufacturing in Malaysia and their links to Sony and Panasonic.

The complainants allege that workers at Kawaguchi Manufacturing have experienced violations indicative of forced labour, including non-payment of wages, confiscation of passports, intimation and charging of high recruitment fees, among other labour rights violations. They allege that Sony and Panasonic, who sourced from Kawaguchi Manufacturing, failed to adequately engage with the workers and provide for remediation. They allege that Sony and Panasonic discontinued their business with Kawaguchi Manufacturing instead, which drove Kawaguchi Manufacturing to cease operations.

The complainants are seeking repayment of unpaid wages and recruitment fees and compensation for mental damage.

More details

Defendant

• Kawaguchi Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd.

Company in violation

• Kawaguchi Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd.

Other companies involved

• Sony Corporation
• Panasonic Corporation

Complainants

• Employees of Kawaguchi Manufacturing

Affected people

• Workers

Documents

• 27 December 2024 Complaint filed to Japan NCP Complainants

Updated FULL Kawaguchi Case Report (Jan 2025)Download

Additional Background Readingon Kawaguchi:

FMT 23rd Feb 2025: Two-thirds of Malaysia’s ex-Kawaguchi company employees have found new jobs but remain in situation of acute modern slavery, activist reveals

22nd Jan 2025: Industriall – Forced labour allegations at Kawaguchi, Malaysia

FMT 7th Jan 2025: Kawaguchi foreign workers in Malaysia preparing to sue 2 prominent Japanese companies, Sony and Panasonic, in U.S. courts

FMT 31st Dec 2024: Kawaguchi workers ‘forced’ to relocate, claims activist (Sony, Panasonic and Daikin Malaysian supplier case) 

26th December 2024: FMT – Penniless and unemployed, Kawaguchi’s foreign workers in Malaysia hoping to secure jobs before Ramadan (Sony, Panasonic & Daikin supplier case)

FMT 22nd Dec 2024: Resolve migrant worker pay issues to avoid economic jeopardy, says ex-MP

20th December 2024: FMT – Air-con giant Daikin comes to rescue of unpaid modern slavery victims and foreign Kawaguchi workers (Kawaguchi supplies Sony, Panasonic and Daikin – Daikin smallest buyer) 

20th December 2024 – “Seven months of unpaid wages: ‘When will I be free?’” Malaysia: Report on Kawaguchi (Sony, Panasonic, Daikin and Hisense/Sanden supplier) released by PARC 

Malay Mail 19th Dec 2024: Malaysian Labour Dept to assist Kawaguchi workers securing new jobs, firm agrees to settle over RM3m backdated pay in agreement described as ‘offensive,’ global buyers Sony, Panasonic and Daikin remain silent

FMT 18th Dec 2024: Kawaguchi to pay foreign workers’ owed salary in Malaysia after negotiations – Major Japanese conglomerates Sony, Panasonic and Daikin remain silent after unethical cut and run

Malay Mail 18th Dec 2024: Electronics maker faces Labour Dept inquiry Over RM806,310 in unpaid wages, substandard housing to Bangladeshi workers

NST 17th Dec 2024: 8 investigation papers opened against Kawaguchi, accomodation providers

17th Dec 2024: FMT Malaysian Labour dept promises justice for Kawaguchi Manufacturing modern slavery victims from Bangladesh on strike, Kawaguchi key customers were Sony, Panasonic, and Daikin

ABC 15th Dec 2024: Sony, Panasonic ‘cut and run’ from Malaysian supplier Kawaguchi accused of wage theft

15th Dec 2024: FMT – Ex-MP calls for ministry action after salary protest at Malaysia’s Kawaguchi plastics company supplying Japanese conglomerates Sony, Panasonic and Daikin

FMT 14th Dec 2024: Protest and alleged hostage taking at Kawaguchi plastics company in Malaysia by Bangladeshi migrant worker modern slavery victims over salary arrears – key Japanese buyers Sony, Panasonic and Daikin respond to BHRRC

26th Nov 2024: FMT – Worried Kawaguchi factory workers in Malaysia, producing Sony, Panasonic, Daikin and Sanden products, file a claim over RM800,000 (US$180,000) in wage arrears, deductions

18th Oct 2024: Sony admits own audit found probable labour code violation by Malaysian contractor Kawaguchi

19th Sept 2024 Malay Mail: Panasonic, Sony and Daikin vows probe into forced labour claim against Malaysian contractor

17th Sept 2024 FMT: Japanese electronics giants probe Malaysian supplier Kawaguchi after delayed salary payments

BHRRC 17th Sept 2024 – Malaysia: Plastics co. supplying to Panasonic, Sony & Daikin accused of violating rights of Bangladeshi workers; incl. indicators of forced labour; incl. cos. responses

6th Sept 2024: Malay Mail – Malaysian HR Ministry opens probe into slave labour claims against contractor (Kawaguchi) for Sony, Panasonic and Daikin

5th Sept 2024: FMT – Malaysian labour dept probes Bangladeshi workers’ forced labour claims

31st Aug 2024 Somoy News: Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia remain unpaid for 5 months

Updated Japanese company responses also available on BHRRC site (see below) 

Malaysia: Plastics co. supplying to Panasonic, Sony & Daikin accused of violating rights of Bangladeshi workers with indicators of forced labour; incl. cos. responses

We are all living a miserable life in Malaysia, not being able to eat, pay our debts and send money to our families.

Migrant worker, Kawaguchi Manufacturing

In September 2024, it was reported that over 200 Bangladeshi workers employed by Kawaguchi Manufacturing, a plastics company in Malaysia, have been experiencing human rights violations, including several indicators of forced labour. Kawaguchi allegedly supplies to major electronics firms, including Panasonic, Sony and Daikin, according to the Malay Mail.

Free Malaysia Today reported that migrant rights activist Andy Hall shared interviews with workers alleging labour rights abuse, including:

• Wage theft: the workers say they have not been paid for six months, which has caused distress on both them and their families back home.
• Recruitment fee charging: the workers say they were charged high fees for their jobs and took out loans to cover the fees.
• Denial of leave: the workers say they are forced to work seven days a week without public holidays or overtime pay. In one video, a worker says he is forced to work 12 hours a day.
• Unsuitable living conditions: the workers say they live in overcrowded and unhygienic accommodation.
• Failing to renew visas: some of the workers are allegedly without visas as the company failed to renew them. This has left them undocumented and vulnerable.
• Intimidation: the workers who raised concerns have been threatened with detention, deportation and police action. Four workers have been sent back to Bangladesh “as punishment”, according to Free Malaysia Today.
• Passport confiscation: the company allegedly withheld workers’ passports.

The Selangor labour department is now investigating the allegations.

The Malaysian based plastics industry, which is indeed an essential part of many international companies and brands globally supply chains and finished products, currently consists of conditions prevalent for systemic migrant forced labour.

Andy Hall, migrant worker activist

In September, the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre invited Daikin, Panasonic, and Sony to respond to the findings, and: a) confirm whether they still source from Kawaguchi Manufacturing, and/or the date when they stopped sourcing from the company; b) disclose any human rights due diligence they undertake prior to entering into contracts with suppliers and when monitoring working conditions at suppliers; c) disclose the steps they have taken to investigate the abuse reported; and, d) disclose the steps they have taken to remedy workers for the fee-charging, intimidation of protesting workers, and wage theft.

Daikin, Panasonic and Sony’s responses can be read in full below.

The Resource Centre was not able to contact Kawaguchi Manufacturing to invite a response to the allegations; if a response is received in future this page will be updated accordingly.

In October 2024, Daikin and Sony disclosed updates on their investigations into the case. Their updates can be read in full below.

Towards the end of November, Malaysian news outlets reported on workers’ concerns that buyers were halting sourcing from the factory in light of the ongoing allegations, citing moulds and other equipment being removed from the factory. About 60 workers at the time of that reporting had filed four separate reports with the labour department, claiming they are still owed unpaid wages and unauthorised salary deductions of almost USD180k.

Japanese companies Sony and Panasonic

The Resource Centre to all three buyers for a second time to understand how any exiting was being undertaken in line with responsible procurement principles. We asked the Japanese companies to confirm whether they had terminated sourcing, when this occurred, and which stakeholders were consulted in the decision-making. Panasonic confirmed it had completed all payments and accepted delivery delays from Kawaguchi, but was engaging “other suppliers who can provide the parts for the products currently being ordered by our customers, to whom certain molds were transferred”. Sony said it “had to conclude to discontinue the transaction with the company”. In its response, Daikin highlighted that its orders from Kawaguchi only account for 1-2% of its orders and stated the company would be unable to support Kawaguchi on its own, once Sony and Panasonic stopped sourcing from the factory.

In December 2024, 251 workers of Kawaguchi Manufacturing filed a complaint against Kawaguchi Manufacturing, Sony and Panasonic at the Japanese NCP.

In January 2025, Daikin, Sony and Panasonic were invited to provide updates on the state of remedy for Kawaguchi workers since mid-December 2024 and respond to allegations the settlement reached is inadequate. Developments reported since include:

• Following a five-day worker protest, remediation was discussed at a mediation with Kawaguchi in December but the settlement – which was reportedly agreed to span January 15 2025 until November 15 2025 – is alleged to be “inadequate” and a “formality”.
• Food provision is an acute issue as workers have been surviving on credit-bought food and loans are now due to shopkeepers given previous assurances of backpay by December 2024. While Daikin reportedly donated to distribute food through a local charity, there is no reporting of Sony or Panasonic doing similarly.
• While the labour office had promised the workers transfer to alternative employment, workers reported they were “forced” to accept these jobs, could not negotiate and were not informed of the terms of their employment, and feared continued exploitation.

Latest responses from Daikin and Panasonic are available in full below. Sony did not itself respond but highlighted the recent statement released by the Responsible Business Alliance, of which Sony and Panasonic are members.

In February 2025, Free Malaysia Today reported that 181 of the 251 foreign workers secured new jobs. 

Timeline

• Two-thirds of ex-Kawaguchi employees have found new jobs, activist revealsDate: 23 Feb 2025 Content Type: Article
• Panasonic update to Kawaguchi case Date: 20 Feb 2025 Content Type: Disclosure
• RBA Update on Repayment of Worker Recruitment Fees Related to Kawaguchi Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd.
  Date: 18 Feb 2025 Content Type:
  RBA Disclosure
• Daikin update to Kawaguchi case
  Date: 17 Feb 2025
  Content Type: Daikin Disclosure 
• Update re situation for Kawaguchi Manufacturing workers, 7 February 2025Date: 7 Feb 2025 Content Type:
  Article by Andy Hall
• Forced labour allegations at Kawaguchi, MalaysiaDate: 21 Jan 2025 Content Type: Article Industriall 
• Panasonic response re alleged insufficient remedy to Kawaguchi workersDate: 15 Jan 2025 Content Type: Company Response
• Sony non-response re alleged insufficient remedy to Kawaguchi workersDate: 14 Jan 2025 Content Type: Company Response
• 2nd letter from RBA: Repayment of Worker Recruitment Fees Related to Kawaguchi Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd.
  Date: 13 Jan 2025 Content Type: Disclosure
• Daikin response re alleged insufficient remedy to Kawaguchi workersDate: 10 Jan 2025 Content Type: Company Response
• USA: Kawaguchi Manufacturing migrant workers to file lawsuit against two Japanese companies for alleged exploitationDate: 8 Jan 2025
  Content Type: Article – The 251 Bangladeshi workers who were denied pay for seven months by Kawaguchi Manufacturing are preparing to sue two Japanese companies in Washington DC. Led by activist Andy Hall, they seek damages, compensation, and an apology for exploitation and mistreatment.
• Kawaguchi workers ‘forced’ to relocate, claims activistDate: 31 Dec 2024 Content Type: Article – Andy Hall says many of them have had to take on new jobs but were not able to negotiate the terms of their employment.
• Employees of Kawaguchi Manufacturing vs. Kawaguchi Manufacturing, Sony and Panasonic
  Date: 27 Dec 2024 Content Type: Article OECD WATCH
• Penniless and unemployed, foreign workers hoping to secure jobs before RamadanDate: 26 Dec 2024
  Content Type: Article – The workers are also hoping to secure a job so they can repay their debts.
• Daikin status update re Kawaguchi workers: 20 December 2024Date:
  20 Dec 2024 Content Type: Disclosure
• Air-con giant comes to rescue of unpaid foreign workersDate: 20 Dec 2024 Content Type: Article – Daikin Industries Ltd gives US$12,000 to help 251 purchase food and aid items.
• Labour Dept to assist Kawaguchi workers in securing new jobs, firm agrees to settle over RM3m backdated payDate: 19 Dec 2024 Content Type: Article 
• Kawaguchi to pay foreign workers’ owed salaryDate: 18 Dec 2024 Content Type: Article – An agreement has been reached after a five-hour mediation at the labour office between the employer and a group of foreign workers.
• Sony, Panasonic ‘cut and run’ from Malaysian supplier accused of wage theftDate: 14 Dec 2024 Content Type: Article
• 2nd Daikin response re concerns of contract cutting at Malaysian manufacturer where migrants alleged forced labour5 Dec 2024 Type: Company Response
• 2nd Panasonic response re concerns of contract cutting at Malaysian manufacturer where migrants alleged forced labour5 Dec 2024 Type: Company Response
• 2nd Sony response re concerns of contract cutting at Malaysian manufacturer where migrants alleged forced labour28 Nov 2024 Type: Company Response
• Update: Panasonic disclosure re-allegations of labour rights abuse of Bangladeshi workers at Malaysian supplier28 Nov 2024 Type: Company Response
• Factory workers file claim over RM800,000 in wage arrears, deductions28 Nov 2024 Type: Company Response – Fifty-seven say they are worried Kawaguchi Manufacturing Sdn Bhd’s three major clients might cut ties with them over forced labour allegations.
• Letter from Responsible Business Alliance re alleged forced labour at members’ supplier, Kawaguchi ManufacturingDate:26 Nov 2024 Content Type: Disclosure
• Sony admits own audit found probable labour code violation by Malaysian contractorDate:18 Oct 2024 Content Type: Article
• Update: Sony disclosure re-allegations of labour rights abuse of Bangladeshi workers at Malaysian supplierDate: 16 Oct 2024 Content Type: Disclosure
• Update: Daikin disclosure re-allegations of labour rights abuse of Bangladeshi workers at Malaysian supplierDate: 4 Oct 2024 Content Type: Disclosure
• Panasonic, Sony and Daikin vows probe into forced-labour claim against Malaysian contractorDate: 19 Sep 2024 Content Type: Article
• Japanese electronics giants probe M’sian supplier after delayed salary paymentsDate: 17 Sep 2024 Content Type: Article
• Panasonic response to allegations of labour rights abuse of Bangladeshi workers at Malaysian supplierDate: 17 Sep 2024 Content Type: Company Response
• Sony response to allegations of labour rights abuse of Bangladeshi workers at Malaysian supplierDate: 13 Sep 2024 Content Type: Company Response
• Daikin response to allegations of labour rights abuse of Bangladeshi workers at Malaysian supplierDate: 12 Sep 2024 Content Type: Company Response
• HR Ministry opens probe into slave labour claims against contractor for Sony, Panasonic and DaikinDate: 6 Sep 2024 Content Type: Article
• Labour dept probes Bangladeshi workers’ forced labour claimsDate: 5 Sep 2024 Content Type: Article
• Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia remain unpaid for 5 monthsDate: 31 Aug 2024 Content Type: Article

Key Case Documents/Reports 

Updated Kawaguchi report
FULLDownload

OECD COMPLAINT FILE Employees-of-Kawaguchi-vs.-Kawaguchi-Manufacturing-Sony-and-Panasonic-Complaint.pdfDownload

1.15.25 FINAL Legal Notice Letter to Sony and Panasonic.docxDownload

12.22.24 SECOND Legal Notice Letter to SONY Panasonic and Daikin.pdfDownload

11.19.24 FIRST Legal Notice Letter to Sony, Panasonic and Daikin.pdfDownload

RBA Feb 2025 letter Kawaguchi Download

RBA Jan 2025 letter KawaguchiDownload

RBA Nov 2025 letter KawaguchiDownload

RBA Dec 2025 letter KawaguchiDownload

Sony third letter KawaguchiDownload

Sony second letter KawaguchiDownload

Sony first letter KawaguchiDownload

Panasonic fifth letter Kawaguchi Download

Panasonic fourth letter KawaguchiDownload

Panasonic third letter KawaguchiDownload

Panasonic second letter KawaguchiDownload

Panasonic first letter KawaguchiDownload

Daikin first letter KawaguchiDownload

Daikin second letter KawaguchiDownload

Daikin third letter Kawaguchi Download

Daikin fourth letter KawaguchiDownload

Daikin fifth letter KawaguchiDownload

Additional Background Reading on Bangladesh Malaysia migration syndicate:

TBS 23rd May 2025: Malaysia to reopen labour market to Bangaldeshi migrants, syndicate stays but may expand agency list – ‘major modern slavery risk continues: my response’

20th May 2025: BAIRA faction alleged attack during press briefing against Malaysian labour market syndicate

Daily Star 19th May 2025: ‘Job scam’ – 33 Bangladeshis sue Malaysian firm, govt for Tk 4.8cr

FMT 18th May 2025: 33 Bangladeshi migrant workers sue Malaysian recruitment firm, Malaysian govt over job scam from alleged syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi workers for forced labour in Malaysia

Bloomberg EXCLUSIVE 15th May 2025: Malaysia Asks Bangladesh to Withdraw Migrant Labor Probes

16th May 2025 Channel News Asia (CNA): Malaysia to resume recruitment of stranded Bangladeshi workers, vows to protect them from abuse, fraud

16th May 2025: Conditions on manpower export after Amin Noor was indicted – Malaysia calls for withdrawal of all controversial cases against 100 agencies designated by government

FMT 15th May 2025: Bangladesh clears Malaysia of labour abuse claims

Daily Star Editorial 15th May 2025: Don’t let Malaysia recruitment syndicates exploit migrants again – Workers’ rights must be prioritised during bilateral talks

Daily Star 16th May 2025: Malaysia job market – Bangladeshis may be given preference

Star 16th May 2025: Malaysia committed to protecting Bangladeshi workers from exploitation, says Saifuddin

Daily Sun 16th May 2025: Malaysian labour market beckons Bangladeshis again

New Nation 16th May 2025: Malaysia labour market set to reopen

SCMP 15th May 2025: Malaysia, Bangladesh urged to act on labour trafficking before ending migrant worker freeze

‘Thousands’ of Bangladeshis are stranded without jobs in Malaysia after a hiring freeze forced them to overstay illegally, activists say

—

FMT 15th May 2025: Malaysia asks Bangladesh to withdraw migrant labour probes (taken from Bloomberg media) 

Daily Star 15th May 2025: Bangladesh Malaysia agrees to recruit ‘large number’ of Bangladeshi workers

Daily Star 14th May 2025: Bangladeshi migrants in malaysia: Dhaka’s uphill battle to break syndicate chains

Daily Sun 15th May 2025: REOPENING OF MALAYSIAN LABOUR MARKET – A new deal or another compromise with syndication?

TBS 14th May 2025: Rights body urges syndicate-free hiring as expatriate adviser visits Malaysia

FMT 14th May 2025: Malaysia-Bangladesh labour talks must address cartel issues, says ex-MP as Bangladeshi Expatriates Advisor Arrives in Malaysia 

ProthomAlo 18th April 2025: Bangladesh: Awami League supporters are dropping out, but the ‘Malaysia Circle’ is trying to form again

হোমঅন্যান্য
মালয়েশিয়ায় আবারও সিন্ডিকেটের পাঁয়তারা, সতর্ক করলেন শ্রম অধিকার কর্মী
বাংলা ট্রিবিউন রিপোর্ট
০৭ এপ্রিল ২০২৫, ১৯:০৫ (Syndicates are on the rise again in Malaysia, warns labor rights activist)

FMT 7th Apr 2025: Activist warns of syndicate threat to migrant labour reforms in Malaysia

TBS 8th May 2025: Halt Malaysia worker flow if syndicate persists: Labour stakeholders to govt

Bangla News 24 8th 2025: Fraud in manpower export to Malaysia
That dream is still elusive (Bangladeshi Language)

Aliran 8th May 2025: Breaking a 30-year monopoly on Malaysia’s migrant worker medical testing syndicate: Why Fomema should not dominate foreign worker medical screenings in the future – calling for an end to Malaysian foreign worker healthcare/recruitment syndicate

Ratopati 8th May 2025: Foreign employment: Syndicate of manpower professionals in Nepal tries to exclusively send migrant workers to Malaysia (Nepali language) 

Madhyahana Daily 7th May 2025: There Is No Possibility Of Forming A Syndicate In Nepal Malaysian Employment: Nepal Labor Minister Bhandari Statement

SajhaSabal 6th May 2025: Foreign Employment Nepal – Malaysia Employment: Are Recruitment Syndicate Operators in Nepal and Malaysia More Powerful Than the Government? Whose Plan Is This? (Bangladeshi Malaysia like recruitment syndicate fears hit Nepal Malaysia recruitment market) (Nepali Language)

5th May 2025 Daily Star: BAIRA urges govt to reopen Malaysian labour market

5th May 2025 Kalerkantho: Fraud in manpower export to Malaysia – 8 billion taka of workers’ money in Swapan’s pocket

5th May Prothomalo: Bangladesh Memorandum to the Chief Advisor – Demand to open Malaysia’s labor market to all legal agencies

Kalerkantho 1 May, 2025: Swapan-Amin’s luxurious life with workers’ money from Bangladesh/Malaysia migrant worker recruitment scam

Kalerkantho 01 May, 2025: Bangladeshi Workers are living inhumane lives in Bangladesh without getting their money back due to Malaysian recruitment syndicate/scam

30th April 2025 Kalerkantho: Swapan-Amin cycle active again – Fraud in manpower export to Malaysia

5th Nov 2024: Bloomberg – Bangladesh Asks Malaysia to Arrest Businessmen in Migrant Trafficking Case

Important article by PSM/Rani Rasiah 11th Nov 2024 – Extradition call – Justice in sight for migrant worker recruitment fraud victims?

Daily Star 11th Nov 2024: Dhaka, KL must act to end trafficking

FMT 10th Nov 2024: Govt wants Dhaka to clarify extradition request for duo

FMT 7th Nov 2024: Silence not an option, govt told, as Bangladesh seeks duo’s extradition

Free Malaysia Today 6th Nov 2024: Bestinet founder denies misconduct amid report of extradition

CNA 6th Nov 2024: Bangladesh asks Malaysia to arrest and extradite 2 businessmen over alleged migrant worker trafficking and extortion (background article)

6th Nov 2024: Malaysiakini – Amid extradition call, Bestinet founder denies money laundering claim

Malaysiakini 5th Nov 2024: Bangladesh wants M’sia to extradite Bestinet founder, associate

Oct 21st 2024 BBS: Ex-minister Imran Ahmad on 3-day remand in human trafficking case

UCA News 7th Oct 2024: Ending Bangladeshi workers’ Malaysian plight is a test for their leaders

Daily Star 6th Oct 2024: Anwar ibrahim’s visit: A chance to root out graft from labour hiring

SCMP 5th Oct 2024: Malaysia must slash fees, smash cartels to reopen Bangladesh labour market – rights groups

5th Oct 2024: Benar News – Malaysia’s PM Anwar promises Bangladeshi migrant workers will be treated fairly

Reuters Oct 4th 2024: Malaysia PM Anwar Ibrahim to visit Bangladesh, focus on labour issues

Benar News Oct 4th 2024: PM pledges priority for Bangladesh migrant workers who missed out

Daily Star Oct 5th 2024: Diplomacy – Malaysia entry debacle – Anwar Ibrahim to consider issue of Bangladeshi workers

Daily Star Oct 5th 2024: Amending MoU on Malaysia-bound Bangladeshi workers can bring a sea change

Daily Star 5th Oct 2024: 
Labour Export – President seeks support from Malaysia

New Age Oct 5th 2024: Malaysian PM pledges new entry of 18,000 migrant workers from Bangladesh

Background Reading:

20th Sept 2024: Prothmalo – Aminul and Ruhul Amin involved in alleged migrant worker syndicate money ‘laundering’ to Malaysia

20th Sept 2024: Scoop – MACC’s Bestinet probe is ‘NFA’, no proof of other money-laundering claims: Azam Baki

20th Sept 2024: Malaysiakini – Bestinet denies money laundering allegations

Daily Star Sept 7th 2024: Dismantling the recruitment syndicate for Malaysian labour market

FMT 7th July 2024: Use independent experts for migrant system audit, says anti-graft group

6th July 2024: Migration to Malaysia – Money of all workers who failed to depart as part of alleged criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi workers for forced labour in Malaysia to be refunded

MALAYSIAKINI 6th July 2024 C4CENTER COMMENT: Massive migrant labour recruiting issues, cops must probe

NST 6th July 2024: Probe foreign labour recruitment misgovernance highlighted by PAC, govt urged

FMT 6th July 2024: Anti-corruption watchdog demands action over govt-Bestinet deal

Malay Mail 6th July 2024: Home minister says will review PAC criticism over migrant worker system launched without contract

Star 5th July 2024: Mutual termination clause in Bestinet contract puts Putrajaya in ‘challenging position’, says Public Accounts Committee report

4th July 2024 BSS News – Expatriates Minister Shofiqur directs returning money to workers who failed to go to Malaysia

4th July 2024 New Age – Bangladeshi Agencies must refund workers unable to go to Malaysia by July 18: ministry

FMT 4th July 2024: Govt urged to heed PAC’s call on migrant worker system

Star 4th July 2024: Human Resources Ministry to conduct internal audit

Star 4th July 2024: PAC uncovers serious flaws

FMT 3rd July 2024: Decide quickly on direction of migrant worker system in Malaysia, Public Accounts Committee tells govt

Vibes 3rd July 2024: Foreign worker management system operating 6 years without a contract 

3rd July 2024: The Edge – Public Accounts Committee chastises govt for running foreign worker recruitment system for six years without contract

Malaysiakini 3rd July 2024: BESTINET Probe – Public Accounts Committee chief says ‘Datuk Amin’ not among witnesses

3rd July 2024: The Star – Bestinet told Public Accounts Committee unauthorised users were approved by HR Ministry personnel, report shows

FMT 2nd July 2024: Tenaganita letter to Editor – TIP upgrade no cause for celebration just yet

30th June 2024: Somoy News – Bangladeshi High Court orders disclosure of action on Malaysia migrant worker scam (with 500,000+ victims) in 7 days

Malay Mail 25th June 2024: Home minister sees good things for Malaysian businesses after upgrade to US trafficking ranking

The Star 25th June 2024: Malaysia will strive to reach Tier 1 in Trafficking In Persons report, says Saifuddin

Scoop 25th June 2024: Nation’s improved Tier 2 human trafficking ranking ‘dangerously misleading’, says activist

See also MALAYSIAKINI 25th June 2024: M’sia doesn’t deserve Tier 2 in US human trafficking ranking – activist

Daily Star 26th June 2024: Rights activists criticise Malaysia’s improved ranking

See also Benar News 24th June 2024: Malaysia advances in US State Dept’s world rankings for anti-human trafficking efforts

See also FMT 24th June 2024: Malaysia upgraded to Tier 2 in US human trafficking report

See also Benarma 25th June 2024: Malaysia upgraded to Tier 2 in U.S. TIP Report

See also Focus Malaysia 25th June 2024: Migrant workers’ activist – Malaysia doesn’t deserve Tier 2 upgrade in 2024 US human trafficking report

See also 25th June 2024: Home Ministry welcomes country’s Tier 2 upgrade on Trafficking in Persons 2024 report

See also FMT 25th June 2024: Home ministry open to working with NGOs against human trafficking

See also Star 25th June 2024: Malaysia upgraded to Tier 2 in latest Trafficking in Persons report

SCMP 25th June 2024: Malaysia’s upgrade in US human trafficking index decried as ‘disappointing’ amid migrant worker woes

24th June 2024 Exclusive Analysis: CNA – Extension of Malaysia’s controversial migrant labour ecosystem (involving BESTINET) a blow to PM Anwar’s reform agenda 

See New Strait Times 24th June 2024: Malaysian Government Forms Committee to Review Terms of Bestinet’s 3 Year Extension

FMT 24th June 2024: Bestinet contract extended, confirms Saifuddin – ‘Home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail says the Cabinet decided in principle on the extension ‘several weeks ago’.

Malay Mail 24th June 2024: Home Minister – Bestinet keeps foreign worker system contract for three more years, but with stricter terms

Bernama News 24th June 2024: Committee set up to Peruse Terms and Conditions of BESTINET Contract

FMT 24th June 2024: Bestinet to surrender control of workers management system under new deal

FMT 24th June 2024: Bestinet should be phased out eventually, says ex-MP

Malaysianist 18th June 2024: Minting money from a migrant services monopoly (click to subscribe for full article)

9th June 2024 Daily Star – Labour Recruitment from Bangladesh to Malaysia: Syndicate wins, migrants suffer, country loses(excellent summary how bad triumphed, carnage resulted – Bangladesh and Malaysia MUST be downgraded to Tier 3 in the upcoming U.S. TIP report!)

Dhaka Tribune 11th June 2024: Deadline extended for Malaysia migration hurdle complaints

Business Standard 11th June: Unrest within Baira over Malaysian labour market, ruckus in AGM as committee members assaulted 

Observer 9th June 2024: Around 2,900 complaints lodged by deprived Malaysia-bound migrants

Malaysianist 6th June 2024: The fat cat ruling the Malaysian migrant services roost(allegations of systemic corruption involving Malaysia’s migrant worker management systems – click to subscribe)

Business Standard 5th June 2024: Govt to take action over failure in sending workers to Malaysia: PM Hasina

4th June 2024 Daily Star (Op Ed): Break the syndicates, not the dreams of Malaysia-bound workers

SCMP 4th June 2024 – In Malaysia, business and human rights must go hand in hand, UN rights chief says in KL press conference against backdrop of systemic migrant worker abuses

New Straits Times 4th June 2024: Human rights-centric practices essential for foreign investment, says UN

4th June 2024 Business Standard: NHRC orders probe into alleged embezzlement of Tk150cr from Malaysia-bound workers

4th June 2024 Business Standard: 47,809 Bangladeshis flew to Malaysia in May – highest since labour market reopened in 2022

Daily Sun 3rd June: IRREGULARITIES IN MIGRATION TO MALAYSIA – Recruiting agencies never made accountable(good historical summary)

Business Standard 4th June 2024:Dhaka-20, Feni-2 MPs deny allegations of involvement in embezzling money from Malaysia-bound workers

SCMP 3rd June 2024: ‘Nothing left for me’ as thousands of Bangladeshi workers lose everything in failed bid to work in Malaysia

Daily Star Editorial 3rd June 2024: Must our migrants pay the price every time?

Prothomalo 3rd June 2024 – Bangladesh Labour market: Hapless workers lose all vying to go to Malaysia

Daily Sun 3rd June 2024: IRREGULARITIES IN MIGRATION TO MALAYSIA: Recruiting agencies never made accountable

FMT 3rd June 2024: 17,000 Bangladeshi workers stranded, Dhaka pleads for time

Daily Star 3rd June 2024: 16,970 Bangladeshis failed to reach Malaysia for mismanagement, more destitution and modern slavery will result

Daily Star 3rd June 2024 – Bangladeshi Migrant Worker Exploitation and Malaysian Labour Market Alleged Criminal Syndicate: The agencies picked by KL to blame, Bangladesh tells UN OHCHR

Daily Star 2nd June 2024: Controversial recruitment system to stay 3 more years

Daily Star 2nd June – Jobs in Malaysia: Mismanagement left over 3k workers with no ticket to KL

Daily Star 1st June 2024: Must history repeat itself with the Malaysian labour market’s alleged criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi migrant workers for forced labour

MALAYSIAKINI June 1st 2024: Controversial worker management system BESTINET gets new lease, sources say

1st June 2024 Kalerkantho: Malaysia’s dream ends in deprivation for Bangladeshi migrant workers of criminal syndicate

FMT 31st May 2024: Expect Bangladeshi workers to be stranded and at high risk of modern slavery following Malaysian migration management deadline rush, warns activist

SCMP 31st May 2024: Malaysians shocked by thousands of Bangladeshis crowding at airport to beat deadline for legal work, as UN and activists warn of increased modern slavery risks

CNA 31st May 2024: Over 30,000 workers set to miss deadline to enter Malaysia even as officials clear backlog at KL airport

Prothomalo 31 May 2024 – Bangladesh – Malaysia’s labour market: Repeated syndicates, repeated closure

Prothomalo 31st May 2024: Bangladesh – Thousands of people crowded Dhaka airport without flight tickets to go to Malaysia

31st May 2024 FMT: Govt reaffirms commitment to protect migrant workers’ rights to UN

31st May 2024: The closure of the labor market in Malaysia has shattered the dreams of 31,000 workers

Daily Star 31 May 2024 – Recruitment in Malaysia: Syndicate siphons over $1b out of Bangladesh

Daily Sun 31st May 2024: Biman sends 2,000 migrant workers to Malaysia

Business Standard 31st May 2024: Malaysia-bound workers scammed, stranded at Dhaka airport as deadline set to expire today

Daily Star 30th May 2024: Manpower syndicates beyond Dhaka-KL control

30th May 2024: Comment by Andy Hall, independent migrant worker rights specialist, on ongoing migrant worker management crisis in Malaysia and at KLIA airport today, Bangladeshi workers at high risk of modern slavery

CNA 30th May 2024: ‘Congestion’ at KL airport as employers scramble to bring in thousands of migrant workers before deadline

MALAYSIAKINI 30th May 2023: ‘Migrants influx at KLIA due to employers chasing deadline’

30th May 2024 Benar News: Malaysia’s labor market closed – Migrant workers flock to airports in all countries

29th May Daily Star: Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia – Hiring begins with bribery (UN independent experts say Bangladeshi workers pay up to 8 times for migration alone due to corruption of Malaysia ministries, Bangladesh mission and syndicates)

29th May Daily Star: Airfare to Malaysia surges fivefold

FMT 28th May 2024: Malaysia yet to respond to UN concerns on alleged criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi migrant victims for forced labour in the country(with my full statement included)

For Immediate Release 27th May 2024: Statement by Andy Hall, Independent Migrant Worker Rights Specialist, on today’s public release of UN OHCHR’s unanswered urgent appeal communications to the Malaysian and Bangladeshi Governments 

30th May Star: Cyclone smashes Bangladeshi workers’ hopes, extension requested

Channel News Asia 25th May 2024: Malaysia’s bid to revamp hiring of foreign workers through controversial BESTINET process faces pushback; activists say country’s reputation at stake

22nd May 2024: UN expert – Malaysian law enforcement mixing up human trafficking, migrant smuggling – “What steps has Malaysia taken to investigate alleged complicity of public officials in human trafficking?’’

20th May 2024 FMT: Duped Bangladeshi workers won’t impact Malaysia’s US Human trafficking report ranking, says HR Minister Sim

Malay Mail 17th May 2024: Pengerang employer to face Labour Court in Malaysia after failing for months to pay Bangladeshi workers’ wages over RM1m (government statements and my comments included – months on, court agreed mediation settlement unforced, workers allegedly remain in situation akin to acute modern slavery)

16th May 2024: Firm that left over 700 Bangladeshi workers to dry in Pengerang facing possible prosecution (months on, court agreed mediation settlement unforced, workers allegedly remain in situation akin to acute modern slavery)

14th May 2024: FMT – Activists warn of US trafficking report downgrade for Malaysia amid UN criticism

May 10th 2024 The Star: Malaysian Government responds to OHCHR, IOM, ILO and UNODC joint condemnation on alleged Bangaldeshi migrant worker criminal syndicate by pledging to set up special unit handling migrant workers’ grievances, says HR Minister Sim

9th May 2024: Study: 96% of Bangladeshi workers going to Malaysia fall into recruitment debt– The study also said that 82% had two or more loans and 73% of workers spent at least 50% to 100% of their monthly salary to repay recruitment debts

4th May 2024: UN agencies concerned over Bangladeshi workers stranded in Malaysia – Joint Statement of ILO, IOM and UNODC on Alleged Criminal Syndicate Trafficking Bangladeshi Workers for Forced Labour in Malaysia

24th April 2024: Address plight of duped Bangladeshi migrant workers in Malaysia in response to UN warning, govt told (more on the ongoing saga of an alleged criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi migrant workers for forced labour in Malaysia)

19th April 2024: UN (OHCHR) Statement on Alleged Criminal Syndicate Trafficking Bangladeshi Workers for Forced Labour in Malaysia – ‘Malaysia: Bangladeshi workers must be protected from exploitation and criminalisation, say UN experts’

FMT 19th April 2024: UN experts sound alarm over plight of duped Bangladeshi migrants in Malaysia

For more on Andy Hall’s complaint to the OHCHR see 30th Oct 2023: FMT: Andy Hall refers stranded Bangladeshi workers’ plight in Malaysia to UN Human Rights Council

See Daily Star 23rd Apr 2024: Bangladesh Plight of Migrant Workers – Bangladesh, Malaysia working group meeting likely in May

See Daily Star Editorial 23rd Apr 2024: When even legal migrants suffer – Workers migrating to Malaysia legally deserve better protection 

Business Standard 23rd April 2024: Expat Ministry reviews UN complaints on Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia

Prothomalo 23rd April 2024: Bangladesh – Ministry reviewing allegations over Malaysia labour market

BenarNews Malay Language: Pakar PBB gesa Malaysia tangani layanan buruk diterima pekerja Bangladesh (UN expert urges Malaysia to handle bad treatment received by Bangladeshi workers)

Daily Star 19th Apr 2024: UN experts express dismay over situation of Bangladeshi migrants in Malaysia

FMT 19th Apr 2024: PSM, news portal set aside order to stop debate on migrant workers’ plight

Daily Star Editorial 17th April 2024: Save our migrants in Malaysia (more on the crisis caused by an alleged criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi workers for forced labour in Malaysia)

9th April 2024 The Star – Bangladeshi victims of criminal syndicate trafficking worked for forced labour in Malaysia: ‘Cops after workers, not rogue employers’

7th April 2024: SCMP – As Malaysia’s door closes on low-paid migrant workers, companies scramble for staff (and a systemically corrupt migration management and recruitment policy, devoid of the rule of law and leading to impunity and gross exploitation, is revealed)

6th April 2024 Daily Star: A hostel of nightmares for Bangladeshi migrants allegedly trafficked by criminal syndicate for forced labour in Malaysia (and Daily Star Op Ed)

Daily Star Editorial 6th Apr 2024: What will happen to migrants abandoned in Malaysia?

26th March 2024: The Star – Freeze on foreign workers hiring quota in Malaysia stays for now, says HR Minister (with estimated 200,000+ surplus foreign workforce victims facing destitution and abuse)

25th March 2024: Bangladeshi workers (alleged victims of criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi workers for forced labour in Malaysia) claim being coerced into withdrawing police and labour complaints

Daily Star 25th Mar: Malaysia employer framed Bangladeshi workers

Daily Star 24th Mar 2024: Jailed in Malaysia – 3 Bangladesh workers released

Editorial Prothomalo 24th Mar 2024: Malaysian labour market – Take action against the fraud syndicate

FMT 23rd March 2024: PSM calls on Sim to look into arrest of Bangladeshi workers

MALAYSIAKINI 23 Mar 2024: Stranded foreign workers (alleged victims of criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi workers for forced labour in Malaysia) nabbed after labour complaints against employer

23rd March 2024 The Star: Half a million vulnerable and irregular foreign workers disappear from Malaysia’s migrant worker regularization programme as deadline looms in one week

23 Mar 2024 The Star: Verification rate lags as RTK 2.0 deadline approaches

22nd March 2024 Malay Mail: Home minister – Over RM9m in fines collected so far through migrant repatriation programme

22nd March 2024 Protomalo: Malaysian labour market set to be closed again due to syndication

20th March 2024: 93 duped/detained Bangladeshi migrant workers in Malaysia have jobs now, says immigration DG

20th Mar 2024 Business Standard: Bangladeshi workers’ plight in Malaysia: Coalition of migration orgs demand action against recruiting agency syndicate

19th March 2024: FMT – Plantation firms wary of ‘forced labour’ concerns in hiring 200,000 surplus foreign workers/criminal syndicate victims in Malaysia, says minister – indeed he’s right, who wants to take on destitute foreign workers often with US$4-7000 in debt?

17th March 2024: FMT – Malaysia’s treatment of migrant workers utterly shameful

New Age 16th Mar 2024: Bangladeshi government must mend issues to keep Malaysia job market open

15th March 2024 SCMP: Malaysians deride minister’s idea to rebrand palm oil workers as ‘specialised harvesters’

14th March 2024: The Star – Opinion: When work in Malaysia is a con – the criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshis for forced labour in Malaysia

FMT 13th March 2024: Bangladeshi migrants file police reports after falling victim to job scam/criminal syndicate trafficking workers from Bangladesh for forced labour in Malaysia

12th March 2024: SCMP – Malaysia to slash migrant workforce amid intolerance, job scam crisis involving Bangladeshi labourers

FMT 11th Mar 2024: Duped migrant jobseekers, victims of alleged criminal syndicate trafficking Bangaldeshi workers to Malaysia for forced labour, face mental health issues, says Malaysian ex-MP

Daily Star Editorial 10th March 2024: Migrating to a life of unemployment

Daily Star 10th Mar 2024: Distressed in Malaysia – Thousands of Bangladeshi migrants jobless, unpaid or underpaid 

9th March 2024: Malay Mail – Activists warn rushed 31st March visa deadline in Malaysia could force firms to source foreign workers unethically (includes my commentary on the abrupt policy change)

9th Mar 2024 The Star: No extension of May 31 foreign worker deadline

NST 9th Mar 2024: Keep recruitment agencies in a list rather than shutting them down, govt told   

See also NST 9th Mar 2024: Sourcing migrant workers takes time, ‘not like buying cattle’, employer groups tell govt

NST 8th Mar 2024: Eliminate middlemen from migrant worker recruitment process, govt told

Star 8th Mar 2024: May 31 deadline for foreign workers recruitment under recalibration programme remains, says Saifuddin

Malay Mail 8th Mar 2024: Saifuddin Nasution: No more agents for Bangladeshi worker recruitment

6th Mar 2024: Malaysian government halts foreign worker entry into the country from 31st May 2024 (final calling visa/VDN approval issuance deadline 31st March 2024) as migrant worker management crisis worsens and victims of gross exploitation, unemployment and destitution rise significantly

6th March 2024: Business Times –Sudden change in foreign worker policy by Malaysian government leaves industry in limbo

6th Mar 2024 Edge: Foreign worker intake deadline changes will leave manufacturers in the lurch, says FMM

6th Mar 2024 FMT: Industry players shocked by foreign worker policy change, says FMM

Mar 5 2024: NCCIM urges govt to review unused foreign worker quota deadline

4th March 2024 URGENT call for donations/support: joining forces with HOPE SELANGOR to fill gap in providing humanitarian aid and assistance to victims of criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi workers into forced labour in Malaysia

Mar 3rd 2024: Concern on repatriation of potential trafficking and forced labour/abuse victims under Malaysian Migrant Worker Repatriation Programme Commencing 1st March 2024 (Statement by Andy Hall, Independent Migrant Worker Rights Specialist)

FMT 3rd Mar 2024: Ensure ‘crooks’ do not gain from repatriation programme, says activist

Mar 2nd 2024 The Star: A chance for illegals to go home

Mar 2nd 2024 The Star: Sarawak immigration extends RTK2.0 until June

Mar 1st 2024 FMT: 600,000 foreign workers urged to take easy exit home

Mar 1st 2024 The Star: Use repatriation programme to return home, 600,000 illegals told

Feb 28th 2024 The Star: New programme lets migrants off the hook without being prosecuted

Feb 25th 2024 The Star: Businesses want foreign worker hiring freeze lifted

Jan 31st 2024 NST: Govt to implement Migrant Repatriation Programme starting March

Jan 31st 2024 The Edge: Cabinet agrees to extend freeze on hiring of foreign workers, says home minister 

31st Jan 2024 FMT: Migrant repatriation programme set for March 1

31st Jan 2024 The Star: Migration Repatriation Programme to commence on March 1, says Home Ministry

FMT 6th Jan 2024: 171 duped migrant workers deserve compensation, govt told (includes my full statement)

5th Jan 2024: New Strait Times – MCA: Don’t just fine employers, hold ministry accountable as well for unemployed foreign workers

FMT 30th Dec 2023: Migrants being duped into Malaysia because of govt’s failure to curb criminal trafficking syndicates and organised crime network, says activist Andy Hall

30th Dec 2023: New Strait Times – Recruitment agencies accused of deception as Bangladeshi victims speak out on exploitation and fear

29th Dec 2023: Malay Mail – Set up probe on exploitation of migrant workers and new ministry to manage their affairs, Suhakam tells Putrajaya

28th Dec 2023: FMT – Malaysia has entered ‘slave labour’ territory, says ex-MP – Charles Santiago calls for specific set-ups to manage migrant workers 

27th Dec 2023: New Strait Times – MTUC demand govt, MACC probe into corrupt recruitment practices of foreign workers

26th Dec 2023: FMT – High recruitment fees make greedy agents bring in workers, says group

25th Dec 2023: FMT – Probe recruitment agents, MACC told after arrest of Bangladeshis

22nd Nov 2023: MALAYSIAKINI – Full probe of migrant worker syndicate, Malaysian HR Minister Sivakumar says

9th Nov 2023: Malaysia – The State of the Nation: Flaws of foreign worker system laid bare in declassified report

30th Oct 2023: FMT: Andy Hall refers stranded Bangladeshi workers’ plight in Malaysia to UN Human Rights Council

23rd Oct 2023: RESPONSE FROM THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCES IN REGARDS TO AN ARTICLE BY MR. ANDY HALL/HR Minister – strict actions against employers who fail to comply with Malaysia’s labour and immigration laws

20th Oct 2023 Malaysiakini: Long-awaited foreign worker management report declassified in Malaysia (my comments added)

19th Oct 2023: Malaysia facing huge excess of 1/4 million migrant laborers

21st Sep 2023: Malaysian government has 15 source countries for foreign workers – Comments by Andy Hall

20th Sep 2023: Rate of abused Bangladeshi workers’ entry into Malaysia worrying, says migrant rights activist Andy Hall

12th July 2023: excellent final offering from a 4 part account of atypical modern-day slavery, forced labour and abuse perpetrated against a group of migrant workers from Bangladesh in Malaysia, written concisely and passionately by former MP from Malaysia Charles Santiago

Aljazeera News TV 10th July 2023 – Migrants in Malaysia: Hundreds left stranded in recruitment scam

The post FMT 24th July 2025: Kawaguchi company facing criminal charges in Malaysia over unpaid Bangladeshi worker wages in high profile Japanese consumer goods modern slavery case, says source appeared first on Andy Hall.

Kawaguchi served letter of demand over close to RM3mil in unpaid wages

Lawyers for 249 former workers of the plastic component supplier warn of court action if overdue payments are not settled by July 21 for unpaid wages to modern slavery victims.

Sourced from: FMT by FMT Reporters – July 17th 2025

A plastic component supplier has been served a letter of demand over nearly RM3 million in unpaid wages allegedly owed to 249 former workers.

Lawyers from Louis Liaw Chambers said Kawaguchi Manufacturing Sdn Bhd, now known as Alpha Integral Sdn Bhd, failed to comply with labour court-sanctioned settlements signed in December 2024.

The agreement was reached after the former workers staged a peaceful protest at the company’s factory in Port Klang.

Under the agreement, the company was supposed to pay the workers in nine instalments, starting on Jan 15, with the rest due monthly until November 2025.

The company made the first payment but missed four payments due in April, May, June and July, the lawyers alleged.

“In particular, you have failed, refused, and/or neglected to pay our clients the required instalment payments that were due on April 15, May 15, June 15 and July 15, as per the settlement agreement and labour court order,” read the letter sighted by FMT.

The company has until July 21 to settle the overdue payments, failing which the lawyers said they may pursue legal options, including converting the labour court awards into court judgments, enforcement actions such as winding-up proceedings, and imposing interest charges of 8% annually.

The lawyers also warned that the company’s directors and managers could face personal fines under the Employment Act for failing to comply with the labour court’s order.

They added that changing the company’s name from Kawaguchi to Alpha Integral does not remove its legal obligations.

Alpha Integral did not immediately respond to FMT’s request for comment.

FMT 16th June 2025: Multinational corporation SONY comes to aid of Bangladeshi former Kawaguchi workers in modern slavery case in Malaysia

Sony steps in to ease the burden on 283 reported to have gone without pay for seven months.

A Japanese multinational corporation has provided monetary aid to some 283 Bangladeshi workers who had reportedly gone without pay for seven months last year under a different company, an international human rights group said.

Original Source: FMT Reporters – 16th June 2025

Sony took “meaningful and proactive steps to assist the workers, including providing much-needed financial assistance”, International Rights Advocates (IRAdvocates) said.

However, it did not disclose the amount.

“IRAdvocates applauds Sony for taking a constructive approach towards this situation and is grateful to Sony for its cooperation,” the group’s founder and executive director, Terrence Collingsworth, said in a statement.

Collingsworth said that when issues concerning the migrant workers first surfaced, IRAdvocates raised the matter with their previous employer, Kawaguchi Nanufacturing Sdn Bhd, and certain manufacturers who were Kawaguchi’s downstream customers.

One such manufacturer was Sony, he said.

To its credit, Sony raised its concerns with Kawaguchi and requested that the company promptly implement corrective measures after the allegations emerged, he said.

He said Sony also stopped doing business with Kawaguchi.

Collingsworth said the Kawaguchi case is a powerful reminder that change is possible when corporations genuinely embrace accountability and collaboration.

“IRAdvocates applaud Sony’s constructive action, highlighting a path forward where companies uphold human rights sincerely, beyond mere words and empty promises,” he said.

On Dec 18, it was reported that Kawaguchi had agreed to pay its foreign employees their overdue salaries, with the Putrajaya labour office agreeing to arrange for them to be employed by other companies.

The company reached the decision five days after the workers held a peaceful protest outside the factory in Port Klang to demand the salaries owed to them.

Separately, migrant labour rights activist Andy Hall, who referred the case to Collingsworth late last year, said Sony should be applauded for emulating Daikin Industries Ltd.

In December, it was reported that Daikin, the world’s largest air-conditioner manufacturer, contributed US$12,000 to the affected foreign workers in emergency food and medical aid. It also provided an additional amount of financial aid to each worker.

“The money Sony has provided is significant and will provide yet more respite for these victims of modern slavery, who remain in severe situations of debt bondage,” Hall told FMT.

—

International Rights Associates (IRA/Terence Collingsworth) full public statement on Sony settlement for immediate release on 16/6/2025 – When Multinationals Choose Collaboration over Conflict.pdfDownload

Associated Press 21st May 2025: Migrant workers in Malaysia seek unpaid wages from Kawaguchi, a supplier to Japanese companies Panasonic, Sony, Daikin, Hisense and others

HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — Around 280 Bangladeshi migrant workers in Malaysia are demanding hundreds of thousands of dollars in back wages and other money owed to them after their former employer, a plastic parts supplier to big Japanese companies, closed down. Kawaguchi workers protest 

Original Source: AP News by ANIRUDDHA GHOSAL – May 21, 2025

(Full video on site) 

The workers at Kawaguchi Manufacturing’s factory in Port Klang, Malaysia’s largest port city, were left stranded when the company withheld their wages for up to eight months before shutting down late last year. The workers have filed complaints in Malaysia and back home in Bangladesh. A motorcyclist rides past a Kawaguchi Manufacturing factory in Klang, Malaysia, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Azneal Ishak)

Such disputes have become a diplomatic sore point between Bangladesh and Malaysia, drawing scrutiny on a small but powerful group of recruitment agencies and middlemen who monopolize such jobs. Bangladeshi workers from Kawaguchi company protest in front of the closed factory in late December 2024

Asif Nazrul, an adviser to Bangladesh’s expatriate welfare ministry, met with Malaysia’s Home Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong in Kuala Lumpur last week. Officials were due to meet again Wednesday in Dhaka, the Bangladesh capital. 

The interim government that took over in Bangladesh after the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has placed a higher priority on the plight of migrant workers who often get trapped in debt after paying exorbitant recruitment fees to work in dismal conditions for little pay. Bangladeshi migrant workers eat a meal at their dormitory in Klang, Malaysia, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Azneal Ishak).A Bangladeshi migrant worker takes a shower at his dormitory in Klang, Malaysia, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Azneal Ishak).A Bangladeshi migrant worker rests on a dormitory bed in Klang, Malaysia, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Azneal Ishak)

Labor advocates say the situation is worsening as more people from across South Asia, sometimes losing their livelihoods due to climate change, seek work in Southeast Asia.

Trade tensions between the U.S. and China have accelerated that trend as factories move from China to places in Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and elsewhere.

Workers allege abuse

The workers have received just 251,000 ringgit ($58,101) of the more than 3 million ringgit ($694,444) in back wages that a Malaysian labor tribunal ordered Kawaguchi to pay. Many have found new jobs but still have heavy debts after borrowing money to pay hefty recruitment fees.

The workers allege they were sometimes required to work without breaks for 24-hour shifts and on holidays with no paid overtime, making plastic casings for televisions and air conditioners. They say Kawaguchi confiscated their passports, provided inadequate housing and delayed their visa renewals.

The factory shut down in December, soon after Sony Group and Panasonic Holdings Corp., two of Kawaguchi’s main customers, halted their orders in response to the allegations against their supplier.A bicycle passes in front of a Kawaguchi Manufacturing factory in Klang, Malaysia, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Azneal Ishak)Read More

After the factory closed, the workers say Malaysian officials forcibly sent many of them to another city some 360 kilometers (220 miles) away to toil in new factory jobs without giving them any information. They were kept in filthy shipping containers converted into dormitories. Another 80 workers were told to work in palm oil plantations — but refused. 

Most made their way back to Port Klang to seek work and chip away at the debts that have been accumulating. It took nearly three months for them to get permission from the Malaysian government to switch jobs.

The Associated Press got no response to multiple requests to Kawaguchi for comment. Malaysia’s labor department also didn’t respond to requests for comment.

Md Kabir Hossain’s case is typical. The 19-year-old said he borrowed more than $4,000 to get to Malaysia from his hometown Rangpur in Bangladesh in November 2023, after his family’s textile shop began to fail. The family’s sole wage earner, he defaulted on one of his loans and wasn’t able to send money back home, as his family struggled to keep their shop going.

“I am constantly worried about what will happen to my family,” he said.

Another worker, Parvez Azam said he didn’t know how much longer he could keep going. “If this goes on, we’ll die here,” he said.

Wider trends across developing Asia

A uniform used by a migrant worker at Kawaguchi Manufacturing is seen hanging in a dormitory in Klang, Malaysia, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Azneal Ishak)

Factories in Malaysia and other countries in Southeast Asia rely on migrant workers, often from Bangladesh, Myanmar and Nepal, to fill labor-intensive jobs in manufacturing, plantations, or construction that local workers won’t perform for the wages offered. 

The cost of recruitment and migration from Bangladesh to Malaysia is among the most expensive in the world, according to the International Labor Organization’s office in Bangladesh.A Bangladeshi migrant worker watches Bangladeshi news on his phoneat a dormitory in Klang, Malaysia, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Azneal Ishak).

The official recruitment fee is about $650 per worker. But all the workers at Kawaguchi said they paid nearly $5,000. The loans they took to pay such sums has pushed them into debt bondage as they labor to pay off ever mounting debts.

In 2023, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia should end use of recruitment agents, describing the system as “modern slavery.” But a 2024 study of Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia found that more than 70% had spent at least half of their wages to pay off recruitment debts. Most have at least two loans and many said they were misled about their wages.

Nearly everyone who migrates overseas from Bangladesh, one of the countries most affected by climate change, has suffered at least one form of modern slavery, like withholding of wages or physical violence, according to a study by the London-based think tank International Institute for Environment and Development. 

Mohamad Mohosin, 38, said he moved to Malaysia when his crops failed because of extreme weather. After going months without being paid his debt has spiraled, forcing his large family in Bangladesh to borrow still more money. “My family is in trouble,” he said.Bangladeshi migrant worker Mohamad Mohosin, 38, speaks during an interview with the Associated Press at a dormitory in Klang, Malaysia, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Azneal Ishak)

Among migrant workers, Bangladeshis often end up in the riskiest jobs, such as plantation work where they can catch mosquito-borne diseases, or physically demanding factory or construction roles, where the likelihood of accidents is higher, said Shariful Islam Hasan of BRAC.

“Despite the high risk and the high migration cost, salaries are too low,” he said.

Seeking help from Japan

Panasonic, Sony and Daikin, three of Kawaguchi’s former main customers among about a dozen, agreed to cover an estimated $1.3 million of the recruitment costs paid by the workers. It’s unclear how much each company is contributing.

“This doesn’t cover all the workers’ costs, including interest rates of up to 30% they must pay on their loans,” said Andy Hall, a British labor activist who has been helping the workers. Many have also defaulted on their debts after going months without wages. 

“They’re absolutely desperate and they’re at very high risk of falling into even worse situations,” Hall said.Bangladeshi migrant workers play cards in a dormitory in Klang, Malaysia, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Azneal Ishak).

Daikin settled with the workers, agreeing to pay them more, although it says it accounted for only 1% to 2% of Kawaguchi’s orders. The air conditioner manufacturer told AP it was working with human rights groups to resolve any remaining issues. 

Panasonic said it was “proportionally reimbursing the recruitment fees” paid by workers and had asked Kawaguchi to correct labor violations. It said it tried to support Kawaguchi but had to disengage from the company due to its financial woes and anticipated production problems.

Sony told AP its code of conduct prohibits abusive labor practices in its supply chain. After investigating, it demanded corrective measures. “When our demands were not satisfied, we terminated our relationship with this supplier,” it said.

The workers are seeking more help and lawyer Terry Collingsworth of U.S.-based International Rights Advocates, who is representing them, said that they were in discussions with Sony and Panasonic.

“We are not asking you to admit liability. We are asking you to comply with your public commitment to remediate when one of your suppliers violates the human rights of its workers,” said a Jan. 16 letter from Collingsworth to Sony and Panasonic.Kawaguchi workers protests in December 2024

ANIRUDDHA GHOSAL

Ghosal covers the intersection of business and climate change in southeast Asia for The Associated Press. He is based out of Hanoi in Vietnam.

—

All the latest on the Kawaguchi case, including company responses and timeline, available on the BHRRC website outlined below and at https://www.bhrrc.org/en/latest-news/malaysia-plastics-co-supplying-to-panasonic-sony-daikin-accused-of-violating-rights-of-bangladeshi-workers-with-indicators-of-forced-labour-incl-cos-responses/

*International Trade Today January 15, 2025 Vol. 41, No. 10: Foreign Workers to Sue Sony and Panasonic Over Forced Labor *

Foreign workers from Bangladesh are preparing to sue Sony and Panasonic in U.S. court over forced labor conditions at their former employer in Malaysia, Kawaguchi Manufacturing, a plastics supplier for the two companies.

The workers are alleging “exploitation, mistreatment, and non-payment of wages,” migrant worker rights activist Andy Hall said in a blog post.

Additionally, he alleges that the workers were forced to pay recruitment fees and had their passports taken away by the company.

Hall already has submitted a trade violation complaint with CBP.

The companies, which confirmed the allegations of forced labor at Kawaguchi in December (see 2412060061), offered to pay the workers $4,400 each, which would not be enough to cover the recruitment fees.

“A number of workers are still in significant debt and at risk of debt bondage,” Hall said.

The lawyer representing the workers, Terrence Collingsworth of International Rights Advocates, said that he is “frankly disgusted” by the companies’ lack of responsiveness, but that he is sending a third letter this week to try to settle the matter out of court, not having received replies to his first two letters.

“There’s no question that we will file a case [in court] if they don’t wish to be more constructive,” Collingsworth said.

Collingsworth also is appealing a decision by the Court of International Trade that his organization doesn’t have standing to challenge CBP’s inaction in responding to a petition to ban cocoa from Cote d’Ivoire (see 2408160009 and 2408080049).

“The companies were hoping to just pay the recruitment fees. But they worked under forced labor conditions, they were trafficked and are owed compensation,” Collingsworth said.

“My interest is getting the workers a reasonable amount of money in addition to the [$4,400] so they can move on.”

—

ABC News: Over 200 migrant workers at a plastics factory in Malaysia that supplies to Sony and Panasonic haven’t been paid for over six months

Forced overtime, withheld passports and dirty living conditions are other abuses that have been raised to the Japanese electronics giants.

After investigating the abuses they are severing ties with the company. But activists say
“cutting and running” leaves workers in a more precarious position.

See ABC’s full story at https://www.instagram.com/reel/DD6WXQjJxj5/?igsh=amVwdDFmOTU4NWk5 and https://amp.abc.net.au/article/104705876

OECD COMPLAINT FILED

Employees of Kawaguchi Manufacturing vs. Kawaguchi Manufacturing, Sony and Panasonic

Labour rights violations at supplier to Sony and Panasonic

https://www.oecdwatch.org/complaint/employees-of-kawaguchi-manufacturing-vs-kawaguchi-manufacturing-sony-and-panasonic/Date filed: 27 December 2024

• Due diligence,
• Forced labour,
• Human rights,
• Supply chain

Countries of harm

• Malaysia

Current status

FiledSector

• Manufacturing

NCP

• NCP Japan

Allegations

On 27 December 2024, 251 workers of Kawaguchi Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd. (“Kawaguchi Manufacturing”), represented by lawyers, filed a complaint against Kawaguchi Manufacturing, Sony Corporation (“Sony”) and Panasonic Corporation (“Panasonic”) at the Japanese NCP. The complaint concerns alleged labour rights violations at Kawaguchi Manufacturing in Malaysia and their links to Sony and Panasonic.

The complainants allege that workers at Kawaguchi Manufacturing have experienced violations indicative of forced labour, including non-payment of wages, confiscation of passports, intimation and charging of high recruitment fees, among other labour rights violations. They allege that Sony and Panasonic, who sourced from Kawaguchi Manufacturing, failed to adequately engage with the workers and provide for remediation. They allege that Sony and Panasonic discontinued their business with Kawaguchi Manufacturing instead, which drove Kawaguchi Manufacturing to cease operations.

The complainants are seeking repayment of unpaid wages and recruitment fees and compensation for mental damage.

More details

Defendant

• Kawaguchi Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd.

Company in violation

• Kawaguchi Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd.

Other companies involved

• Sony Corporation
• Panasonic Corporation

Complainants

• Employees of Kawaguchi Manufacturing

Affected people

• Workers

Documents

• 27 December 2024 Complaint filed to Japan NCP Complainants

Updated FULL Kawaguchi Case Report (Jan 2025)Download

Additional Background Readingon Kawaguchi:

FMT 23rd Feb 2025: Two-thirds of Malaysia’s ex-Kawaguchi company employees have found new jobs but remain in situation of acute modern slavery, activist reveals

22nd Jan 2025: Industriall – Forced labour allegations at Kawaguchi, Malaysia

FMT 7th Jan 2025: Kawaguchi foreign workers in Malaysia preparing to sue 2 prominent Japanese companies, Sony and Panasonic, in U.S. courts

FMT 31st Dec 2024: Kawaguchi workers ‘forced’ to relocate, claims activist (Sony, Panasonic and Daikin Malaysian supplier case) 

26th December 2024: FMT – Penniless and unemployed, Kawaguchi’s foreign workers in Malaysia hoping to secure jobs before Ramadan (Sony, Panasonic & Daikin supplier case)

FMT 22nd Dec 2024: Resolve migrant worker pay issues to avoid economic jeopardy, says ex-MP

20th December 2024: FMT – Air-con giant Daikin comes to rescue of unpaid modern slavery victims and foreign Kawaguchi workers (Kawaguchi supplies Sony, Panasonic and Daikin – Daikin smallest buyer) 

20th December 2024 – “Seven months of unpaid wages: ‘When will I be free?’” Malaysia: Report on Kawaguchi (Sony, Panasonic, Daikin and Hisense/Sanden supplier) released by PARC 

Malay Mail 19th Dec 2024: Malaysian Labour Dept to assist Kawaguchi workers securing new jobs, firm agrees to settle over RM3m backdated pay in agreement described as ‘offensive,’ global buyers Sony, Panasonic and Daikin remain silent

FMT 18th Dec 2024: Kawaguchi to pay foreign workers’ owed salary in Malaysia after negotiations – Major Japanese conglomerates Sony, Panasonic and Daikin remain silent after unethical cut and run

Malay Mail 18th Dec 2024: Electronics maker faces Labour Dept inquiry Over RM806,310 in unpaid wages, substandard housing to Bangladeshi workers

NST 17th Dec 2024: 8 investigation papers opened against Kawaguchi, accomodation providers

17th Dec 2024: FMT Malaysian Labour dept promises justice for Kawaguchi Manufacturing modern slavery victims from Bangladesh on strike, Kawaguchi key customers were Sony, Panasonic, and Daikin

ABC 15th Dec 2024: Sony, Panasonic ‘cut and run’ from Malaysian supplier Kawaguchi accused of wage theft

15th Dec 2024: FMT – Ex-MP calls for ministry action after salary protest at Malaysia’s Kawaguchi plastics company supplying Japanese conglomerates Sony, Panasonic and Daikin

FMT 14th Dec 2024: Protest and alleged hostage taking at Kawaguchi plastics company in Malaysia by Bangladeshi migrant worker modern slavery victims over salary arrears – key Japanese buyers Sony, Panasonic and Daikin respond to BHRRC

26th Nov 2024: FMT – Worried Kawaguchi factory workers in Malaysia, producing Sony, Panasonic, Daikin and Sanden products, file a claim over RM800,000 (US$180,000) in wage arrears, deductions

18th Oct 2024: Sony admits own audit found probable labour code violation by Malaysian contractor Kawaguchi

19th Sept 2024 Malay Mail: Panasonic, Sony and Daikin vows probe into forced labour claim against Malaysian contractor

17th Sept 2024 FMT: Japanese electronics giants probe Malaysian supplier Kawaguchi after delayed salary payments

BHRRC 17th Sept 2024 – Malaysia: Plastics co. supplying to Panasonic, Sony & Daikin accused of violating rights of Bangladeshi workers; incl. indicators of forced labour; incl. cos. responses

6th Sept 2024: Malay Mail – Malaysian HR Ministry opens probe into slave labour claims against contractor (Kawaguchi) for Sony, Panasonic and Daikin

5th Sept 2024: FMT – Malaysian labour dept probes Bangladeshi workers’ forced labour claims

31st Aug 2024 Somoy News: Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia remain unpaid for 5 months

Updated Japanese company responses also available on BHRRC site (see below) 

Malaysia: Plastics co. supplying to Panasonic, Sony & Daikin accused of violating rights of Bangladeshi workers with indicators of forced labour; incl. cos. responses

We are all living a miserable life in Malaysia, not being able to eat, pay our debts and send money to our families.

Migrant worker, Kawaguchi Manufacturing

In September 2024, it was reported that over 200 Bangladeshi workers employed by Kawaguchi Manufacturing, a plastics company in Malaysia, have been experiencing human rights violations, including several indicators of forced labour. Kawaguchi allegedly supplies to major electronics firms, including Panasonic, Sony and Daikin, according to the Malay Mail.

Free Malaysia Today reported that migrant rights activist Andy Hall shared interviews with workers alleging labour rights abuse, including:

• Wage theft: the workers say they have not been paid for six months, which has caused distress on both them and their families back home.
• Recruitment fee charging: the workers say they were charged high fees for their jobs and took out loans to cover the fees.
• Denial of leave: the workers say they are forced to work seven days a week without public holidays or overtime pay. In one video, a worker says he is forced to work 12 hours a day.
• Unsuitable living conditions: the workers say they live in overcrowded and unhygienic accommodation.
• Failing to renew visas: some of the workers are allegedly without visas as the company failed to renew them. This has left them undocumented and vulnerable.
• Intimidation: the workers who raised concerns have been threatened with detention, deportation and police action. Four workers have been sent back to Bangladesh “as punishment”, according to Free Malaysia Today.
• Passport confiscation: the company allegedly withheld workers’ passports.

The Selangor labour department is now investigating the allegations.

The Malaysian based plastics industry, which is indeed an essential part of many international companies and brands globally supply chains and finished products, currently consists of conditions prevalent for systemic migrant forced labour.

Andy Hall, migrant worker activist

In September, the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre invited Daikin, Panasonic, and Sony to respond to the findings, and: a) confirm whether they still source from Kawaguchi Manufacturing, and/or the date when they stopped sourcing from the company; b) disclose any human rights due diligence they undertake prior to entering into contracts with suppliers and when monitoring working conditions at suppliers; c) disclose the steps they have taken to investigate the abuse reported; and, d) disclose the steps they have taken to remedy workers for the fee-charging, intimidation of protesting workers, and wage theft.

Daikin, Panasonic and Sony’s responses can be read in full below.

The Resource Centre was not able to contact Kawaguchi Manufacturing to invite a response to the allegations; if a response is received in future this page will be updated accordingly.

In October 2024, Daikin and Sony disclosed updates on their investigations into the case. Their updates can be read in full below.

Towards the end of November, Malaysian news outlets reported on workers’ concerns that buyers were halting sourcing from the factory in light of the ongoing allegations, citing moulds and other equipment being removed from the factory. About 60 workers at the time of that reporting had filed four separate reports with the labour department, claiming they are still owed unpaid wages and unauthorised salary deductions of almost USD180k.

Japanese companies Sony and Panasonic

The Resource Centre to all three buyers for a second time to understand how any exiting was being undertaken in line with responsible procurement principles. We asked the Japanese companies to confirm whether they had terminated sourcing, when this occurred, and which stakeholders were consulted in the decision-making. Panasonic confirmed it had completed all payments and accepted delivery delays from Kawaguchi, but was engaging “other suppliers who can provide the parts for the products currently being ordered by our customers, to whom certain molds were transferred”. Sony said it “had to conclude to discontinue the transaction with the company”. In its response, Daikin highlighted that its orders from Kawaguchi only account for 1-2% of its orders and stated the company would be unable to support Kawaguchi on its own, once Sony and Panasonic stopped sourcing from the factory.

In December 2024, 251 workers of Kawaguchi Manufacturing filed a complaint against Kawaguchi Manufacturing, Sony and Panasonic at the Japanese NCP.

In January 2025, Daikin, Sony and Panasonic were invited to provide updates on the state of remedy for Kawaguchi workers since mid-December 2024 and respond to allegations the settlement reached is inadequate. Developments reported since include:

• Following a five-day worker protest, remediation was discussed at a mediation with Kawaguchi in December but the settlement – which was reportedly agreed to span January 15 2025 until November 15 2025 – is alleged to be “inadequate” and a “formality”.
• Food provision is an acute issue as workers have been surviving on credit-bought food and loans are now due to shopkeepers given previous assurances of backpay by December 2024. While Daikin reportedly donated to distribute food through a local charity, there is no reporting of Sony or Panasonic doing similarly.
• While the labour office had promised the workers transfer to alternative employment, workers reported they were “forced” to accept these jobs, could not negotiate and were not informed of the terms of their employment, and feared continued exploitation.

Latest responses from Daikin and Panasonic are available in full below. Sony did not itself respond but highlighted the recent statement released by the Responsible Business Alliance, of which Sony and Panasonic are members.

In February 2025, Free Malaysia Today reported that 181 of the 251 foreign workers secured new jobs. 

Timeline

• Two-thirds of ex-Kawaguchi employees have found new jobs, activist revealsDate: 23 Feb 2025 Content Type: Article
• Panasonic update to Kawaguchi case Date: 20 Feb 2025 Content Type: Disclosure
• RBA Update on Repayment of Worker Recruitment Fees Related to Kawaguchi Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd.
  Date: 18 Feb 2025 Content Type:
  RBA Disclosure
• Daikin update to Kawaguchi case
  Date: 17 Feb 2025
  Content Type: Daikin Disclosure 
• Update re situation for Kawaguchi Manufacturing workers, 7 February 2025Date: 7 Feb 2025 Content Type:
  Article by Andy Hall
• Forced labour allegations at Kawaguchi, MalaysiaDate: 21 Jan 2025 Content Type: Article Industriall 
• Panasonic response re alleged insufficient remedy to Kawaguchi workersDate: 15 Jan 2025 Content Type: Company Response
• Sony non-response re alleged insufficient remedy to Kawaguchi workersDate: 14 Jan 2025 Content Type: Company Response
• 2nd letter from RBA: Repayment of Worker Recruitment Fees Related to Kawaguchi Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd.
  Date: 13 Jan 2025 Content Type: Disclosure
• Daikin response re alleged insufficient remedy to Kawaguchi workersDate: 10 Jan 2025 Content Type: Company Response
• USA: Kawaguchi Manufacturing migrant workers to file lawsuit against two Japanese companies for alleged exploitationDate: 8 Jan 2025
  Content Type: Article – The 251 Bangladeshi workers who were denied pay for seven months by Kawaguchi Manufacturing are preparing to sue two Japanese companies in Washington DC. Led by activist Andy Hall, they seek damages, compensation, and an apology for exploitation and mistreatment.
• Kawaguchi workers ‘forced’ to relocate, claims activistDate: 31 Dec 2024 Content Type: Article – Andy Hall says many of them have had to take on new jobs but were not able to negotiate the terms of their employment.
• Employees of Kawaguchi Manufacturing vs. Kawaguchi Manufacturing, Sony and Panasonic
  Date: 27 Dec 2024 Content Type: Article OECD WATCH
• Penniless and unemployed, foreign workers hoping to secure jobs before RamadanDate: 26 Dec 2024
  Content Type: Article – The workers are also hoping to secure a job so they can repay their debts.
• Daikin status update re Kawaguchi workers: 20 December 2024Date:
  20 Dec 2024 Content Type: Disclosure
• Air-con giant comes to rescue of unpaid foreign workersDate: 20 Dec 2024 Content Type: Article – Daikin Industries Ltd gives US$12,000 to help 251 purchase food and aid items.
• Labour Dept to assist Kawaguchi workers in securing new jobs, firm agrees to settle over RM3m backdated payDate: 19 Dec 2024 Content Type: Article 
• Kawaguchi to pay foreign workers’ owed salaryDate: 18 Dec 2024 Content Type: Article – An agreement has been reached after a five-hour mediation at the labour office between the employer and a group of foreign workers.
• Sony, Panasonic ‘cut and run’ from Malaysian supplier accused of wage theftDate: 14 Dec 2024 Content Type: Article
• 2nd Daikin response re concerns of contract cutting at Malaysian manufacturer where migrants alleged forced labour5 Dec 2024 Type: Company Response
• 2nd Panasonic response re concerns of contract cutting at Malaysian manufacturer where migrants alleged forced labour5 Dec 2024 Type: Company Response
• 2nd Sony response re concerns of contract cutting at Malaysian manufacturer where migrants alleged forced labour28 Nov 2024 Type: Company Response
• Update: Panasonic disclosure re-allegations of labour rights abuse of Bangladeshi workers at Malaysian supplier28 Nov 2024 Type: Company Response
• Factory workers file claim over RM800,000 in wage arrears, deductions28 Nov 2024 Type: Company Response – Fifty-seven say they are worried Kawaguchi Manufacturing Sdn Bhd’s three major clients might cut ties with them over forced labour allegations.
• Letter from Responsible Business Alliance re alleged forced labour at members’ supplier, Kawaguchi ManufacturingDate:26 Nov 2024 Content Type: Disclosure
• Sony admits own audit found probable labour code violation by Malaysian contractorDate:18 Oct 2024 Content Type: Article
• Update: Sony disclosure re-allegations of labour rights abuse of Bangladeshi workers at Malaysian supplierDate: 16 Oct 2024 Content Type: Disclosure
• Update: Daikin disclosure re-allegations of labour rights abuse of Bangladeshi workers at Malaysian supplierDate: 4 Oct 2024 Content Type: Disclosure
• Panasonic, Sony and Daikin vows probe into forced-labour claim against Malaysian contractorDate: 19 Sep 2024 Content Type: Article
• Japanese electronics giants probe M’sian supplier after delayed salary paymentsDate: 17 Sep 2024 Content Type: Article
• Panasonic response to allegations of labour rights abuse of Bangladeshi workers at Malaysian supplierDate: 17 Sep 2024 Content Type: Company Response
• Sony response to allegations of labour rights abuse of Bangladeshi workers at Malaysian supplierDate: 13 Sep 2024 Content Type: Company Response
• Daikin response to allegations of labour rights abuse of Bangladeshi workers at Malaysian supplierDate: 12 Sep 2024 Content Type: Company Response
• HR Ministry opens probe into slave labour claims against contractor for Sony, Panasonic and DaikinDate: 6 Sep 2024 Content Type: Article
• Labour dept probes Bangladeshi workers’ forced labour claimsDate: 5 Sep 2024 Content Type: Article
• Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia remain unpaid for 5 monthsDate: 31 Aug 2024 Content Type: Article

Key Case Documents/Reports 

Updated Kawaguchi report
FULLDownload

OECD COMPLAINT FILE Employees-of-Kawaguchi-vs.-Kawaguchi-Manufacturing-Sony-and-Panasonic-Complaint.pdfDownload

1.15.25 FINAL Legal Notice Letter to Sony and Panasonic.docxDownload

12.22.24 SECOND Legal Notice Letter to SONY Panasonic and Daikin.pdfDownload

11.19.24 FIRST Legal Notice Letter to Sony, Panasonic and Daikin.pdfDownload

RBA Feb 2025 letter Kawaguchi Download

RBA Jan 2025 letter KawaguchiDownload

RBA Nov 2025 letter KawaguchiDownload

RBA Dec 2025 letter KawaguchiDownload

Sony third letter KawaguchiDownload

Sony second letter KawaguchiDownload

Sony first letter KawaguchiDownload

Panasonic fifth letter Kawaguchi Download

Panasonic fourth letter KawaguchiDownload

Panasonic third letter KawaguchiDownload

Panasonic second letter KawaguchiDownload

Panasonic first letter KawaguchiDownload

Daikin first letter KawaguchiDownload

Daikin second letter KawaguchiDownload

Daikin third letter Kawaguchi Download

Daikin fourth letter KawaguchiDownload

Daikin fifth letter KawaguchiDownload

Additional Background Reading on Bangladesh Malaysia migration syndicate:

Additional Background Reading on Bangladesh Malaysia migration syndicate:

TBS 23rd May 2025: Malaysia to reopen labour market to Bangaldeshi migrants, syndicate stays but may expand agency list – ‘major modern slavery risk continues: my response’

20th May 2025: BAIRA faction alleged attack during press briefing against Malaysian labour market syndicate

Daily Star 19th May 2025: ‘Job scam’ – 33 Bangladeshis sue Malaysian firm, govt for Tk 4.8cr

FMT 18th May 2025: 33 Bangladeshi migrant workers sue Malaysian recruitment firm, Malaysian govt over job scam from alleged syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi workers for forced labour in Malaysia

Bloomberg EXCLUSIVE 15th May 2025: Malaysia Asks Bangladesh to Withdraw Migrant Labor Probes

16th May 2025 Channel News Asia (CNA): Malaysia to resume recruitment of stranded Bangladeshi workers, vows to protect them from abuse, fraud

16th May 2025: Conditions on manpower export after Amin Noor was indicted – Malaysia calls for withdrawal of all controversial cases against 100 agencies designated by government

FMT 15th May 2025: Bangladesh clears Malaysia of labour abuse claims

Daily Star Editorial 15th May 2025: Don’t let Malaysia recruitment syndicates exploit migrants again – Workers’ rights must be prioritised during bilateral talks

Daily Star 16th May 2025: Malaysia job market – Bangladeshis may be given preference

Star 16th May 2025: Malaysia committed to protecting Bangladeshi workers from exploitation, says Saifuddin

Daily Sun 16th May 2025: Malaysian labour market beckons Bangladeshis again

New Nation 16th May 2025: Malaysia labour market set to reopen

SCMP 15th May 2025: Malaysia, Bangladesh urged to act on labour trafficking before ending migrant worker freeze

‘Thousands’ of Bangladeshis are stranded without jobs in Malaysia after a hiring freeze forced them to overstay illegally, activists say

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FMT 15th May 2025: Malaysia asks Bangladesh to withdraw migrant labour probes (taken from Bloomberg media) 

Daily Star 15th May 2025: Bangladesh Malaysia agrees to recruit ‘large number’ of Bangladeshi workers

Daily Star 14th May 2025: Bangladeshi migrants in malaysia: Dhaka’s uphill battle to break syndicate chains

Daily Sun 15th May 2025: REOPENING OF MALAYSIAN LABOUR MARKET – A new deal or another compromise with syndication?

TBS 14th May 2025: Rights body urges syndicate-free hiring as expatriate adviser visits Malaysia

FMT 14th May 2025: Malaysia-Bangladesh labour talks must address cartel issues, says ex-MP as Bangladeshi Expatriates Advisor Arrives in Malaysia 

ProthomAlo 18th April 2025: Bangladesh: Awami League supporters are dropping out, but the ‘Malaysia Circle’ is trying to form again

হোমঅন্যান্য
মালয়েশিয়ায় আবারও সিন্ডিকেটের পাঁয়তারা, সতর্ক করলেন শ্রম অধিকার কর্মী
বাংলা ট্রিবিউন রিপোর্ট
০৭ এপ্রিল ২০২৫, ১৯:০৫ (Syndicates are on the rise again in Malaysia, warns labor rights activist)

FMT 7th Apr 2025: Activist warns of syndicate threat to migrant labour reforms in Malaysia

TBS 8th May 2025: Halt Malaysia worker flow if syndicate persists: Labour stakeholders to govt

Bangla News 24 8th 2025: Fraud in manpower export to Malaysia
That dream is still elusive (Bangladeshi Language)

Aliran 8th May 2025: Breaking a 30-year monopoly on Malaysia’s migrant worker medical testing syndicate: Why Fomema should not dominate foreign worker medical screenings in the future – calling for an end to Malaysian foreign worker healthcare/recruitment syndicate

Ratopati 8th May 2025: Foreign employment: Syndicate of manpower professionals in Nepal tries to exclusively send migrant workers to Malaysia (Nepali language) 

Madhyahana Daily 7th May 2025: There Is No Possibility Of Forming A Syndicate In Nepal Malaysian Employment: Nepal Labor Minister Bhandari Statement

SajhaSabal 6th May 2025: Foreign Employment Nepal – Malaysia Employment: Are Recruitment Syndicate Operators in Nepal and Malaysia More Powerful Than the Government? Whose Plan Is This? (Bangladeshi Malaysia like recruitment syndicate fears hit Nepal Malaysia recruitment market) (Nepali Language)

5th May 2025 Daily Star: BAIRA urges govt to reopen Malaysian labour market

5th May 2025 Kalerkantho: Fraud in manpower export to Malaysia – 8 billion taka of workers’ money in Swapan’s pocket

5th May Prothomalo: Bangladesh Memorandum to the Chief Advisor – Demand to open Malaysia’s labor market to all legal agencies

Kalerkantho 1 May, 2025: Swapan-Amin’s luxurious life with workers’ money from Bangladesh/Malaysia migrant worker recruitment scam

Kalerkantho 01 May, 2025: Bangladeshi Workers are living inhumane lives in Bangladesh without getting their money back due to Malaysian recruitment syndicate/scam

30th April 2025 Kalerkantho: Swapan-Amin cycle active again – Fraud in manpower export to Malaysia

5th Nov 2024: Bloomberg – Bangladesh Asks Malaysia to Arrest Businessmen in Migrant Trafficking Case

Important article by PSM/Rani Rasiah 11th Nov 2024 – Extradition call – Justice in sight for migrant worker recruitment fraud victims?

Daily Star 11th Nov 2024: Dhaka, KL must act to end trafficking

FMT 10th Nov 2024: Govt wants Dhaka to clarify extradition request for duo

FMT 7th Nov 2024: Silence not an option, govt told, as Bangladesh seeks duo’s extradition

Free Malaysia Today 6th Nov 2024: Bestinet founder denies misconduct amid report of extradition

CNA 6th Nov 2024: Bangladesh asks Malaysia to arrest and extradite 2 businessmen over alleged migrant worker trafficking and extortion (background article)

6th Nov 2024: Malaysiakini – Amid extradition call, Bestinet founder denies money laundering claim

Malaysiakini 5th Nov 2024: Bangladesh wants M’sia to extradite Bestinet founder, associate

Oct 21st 2024 BBS: Ex-minister Imran Ahmad on 3-day remand in human trafficking case

UCA News 7th Oct 2024: Ending Bangladeshi workers’ Malaysian plight is a test for their leaders

Daily Star 6th Oct 2024: Anwar ibrahim’s visit: A chance to root out graft from labour hiring

SCMP 5th Oct 2024: Malaysia must slash fees, smash cartels to reopen Bangladesh labour market – rights groups

5th Oct 2024: Benar News – Malaysia’s PM Anwar promises Bangladeshi migrant workers will be treated fairly

Reuters Oct 4th 2024: Malaysia PM Anwar Ibrahim to visit Bangladesh, focus on labour issues

Benar News Oct 4th 2024: PM pledges priority for Bangladesh migrant workers who missed out

Daily Star Oct 5th 2024: Diplomacy – Malaysia entry debacle – Anwar Ibrahim to consider issue of Bangladeshi workers

Daily Star Oct 5th 2024: Amending MoU on Malaysia-bound Bangladeshi workers can bring a sea change

Daily Star 5th Oct 2024: 
Labour Export – President seeks support from Malaysia

New Age Oct 5th 2024: Malaysian PM pledges new entry of 18,000 migrant workers from Bangladesh

Background Reading:

20th Sept 2024: Prothmalo – Aminul and Ruhul Amin involved in alleged migrant worker syndicate money ‘laundering’ to Malaysia

20th Sept 2024: Scoop – MACC’s Bestinet probe is ‘NFA’, no proof of other money-laundering claims: Azam Baki

20th Sept 2024: Malaysiakini – Bestinet denies money laundering allegations

Daily Star Sept 7th 2024: Dismantling the recruitment syndicate for Malaysian labour market

FMT 7th July 2024: Use independent experts for migrant system audit, says anti-graft group

6th July 2024: Migration to Malaysia – Money of all workers who failed to depart as part of alleged criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi workers for forced labour in Malaysia to be refunded

MALAYSIAKINI 6th July 2024 C4CENTER COMMENT: Massive migrant labour recruiting issues, cops must probe

NST 6th July 2024: Probe foreign labour recruitment misgovernance highlighted by PAC, govt urged

FMT 6th July 2024: Anti-corruption watchdog demands action over govt-Bestinet deal

Malay Mail 6th July 2024: Home minister says will review PAC criticism over migrant worker system launched without contract

Star 5th July 2024: Mutual termination clause in Bestinet contract puts Putrajaya in ‘challenging position’, says Public Accounts Committee report

4th July 2024 BSS News – Expatriates Minister Shofiqur directs returning money to workers who failed to go to Malaysia

4th July 2024 New Age – Bangladeshi Agencies must refund workers unable to go to Malaysia by July 18: ministry

FMT 4th July 2024: Govt urged to heed PAC’s call on migrant worker system

Star 4th July 2024: Human Resources Ministry to conduct internal audit

Star 4th July 2024: PAC uncovers serious flaws

FMT 3rd July 2024: Decide quickly on direction of migrant worker system in Malaysia, Public Accounts Committee tells govt

Vibes 3rd July 2024: Foreign worker management system operating 6 years without a contract 

3rd July 2024: The Edge – Public Accounts Committee chastises govt for running foreign worker recruitment system for six years without contract

Malaysiakini 3rd July 2024: BESTINET Probe – Public Accounts Committee chief says ‘Datuk Amin’ not among witnesses

3rd July 2024: The Star – Bestinet told Public Accounts Committee unauthorised users were approved by HR Ministry personnel, report shows

FMT 2nd July 2024: Tenaganita letter to Editor – TIP upgrade no cause for celebration just yet

30th June 2024: Somoy News – Bangladeshi High Court orders disclosure of action on Malaysia migrant worker scam (with 500,000+ victims) in 7 days

Malay Mail 25th June 2024: Home minister sees good things for Malaysian businesses after upgrade to US trafficking ranking

The Star 25th June 2024: Malaysia will strive to reach Tier 1 in Trafficking In Persons report, says Saifuddin

Scoop 25th June 2024: Nation’s improved Tier 2 human trafficking ranking ‘dangerously misleading’, says activist

See also MALAYSIAKINI 25th June 2024: M’sia doesn’t deserve Tier 2 in US human trafficking ranking – activist

Daily Star 26th June 2024: Rights activists criticise Malaysia’s improved ranking

See also Benar News 24th June 2024: Malaysia advances in US State Dept’s world rankings for anti-human trafficking efforts

See also FMT 24th June 2024: Malaysia upgraded to Tier 2 in US human trafficking report

See also Benarma 25th June 2024: Malaysia upgraded to Tier 2 in U.S. TIP Report

See also Focus Malaysia 25th June 2024: Migrant workers’ activist – Malaysia doesn’t deserve Tier 2 upgrade in 2024 US human trafficking report

See also 25th June 2024: Home Ministry welcomes country’s Tier 2 upgrade on Trafficking in Persons 2024 report

See also FMT 25th June 2024: Home ministry open to working with NGOs against human trafficking

See also Star 25th June 2024: Malaysia upgraded to Tier 2 in latest Trafficking in Persons report

SCMP 25th June 2024: Malaysia’s upgrade in US human trafficking index decried as ‘disappointing’ amid migrant worker woes

24th June 2024 Exclusive Analysis: CNA – Extension of Malaysia’s controversial migrant labour ecosystem (involving BESTINET) a blow to PM Anwar’s reform agenda 

See New Strait Times 24th June 2024: Malaysian Government Forms Committee to Review Terms of Bestinet’s 3 Year Extension

FMT 24th June 2024: Bestinet contract extended, confirms Saifuddin – ‘Home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail says the Cabinet decided in principle on the extension ‘several weeks ago’.

Malay Mail 24th June 2024: Home Minister – Bestinet keeps foreign worker system contract for three more years, but with stricter terms

Bernama News 24th June 2024: Committee set up to Peruse Terms and Conditions of BESTINET Contract

FMT 24th June 2024: Bestinet to surrender control of workers management system under new deal

FMT 24th June 2024: Bestinet should be phased out eventually, says ex-MP

Malaysianist 18th June 2024: Minting money from a migrant services monopoly (click to subscribe for full article)

9th June 2024 Daily Star – Labour Recruitment from Bangladesh to Malaysia: Syndicate wins, migrants suffer, country loses(excellent summary how bad triumphed, carnage resulted – Bangladesh and Malaysia MUST be downgraded to Tier 3 in the upcoming U.S. TIP report!)

Dhaka Tribune 11th June 2024: Deadline extended for Malaysia migration hurdle complaints

Business Standard 11th June: Unrest within Baira over Malaysian labour market, ruckus in AGM as committee members assaulted 

Observer 9th June 2024: Around 2,900 complaints lodged by deprived Malaysia-bound migrants

Malaysianist 6th June 2024: The fat cat ruling the Malaysian migrant services roost(allegations of systemic corruption involving Malaysia’s migrant worker management systems – click to subscribe)

Business Standard 5th June 2024: Govt to take action over failure in sending workers to Malaysia: PM Hasina

4th June 2024 Daily Star (Op Ed): Break the syndicates, not the dreams of Malaysia-bound workers

SCMP 4th June 2024 – In Malaysia, business and human rights must go hand in hand, UN rights chief says in KL press conference against backdrop of systemic migrant worker abuses

New Straits Times 4th June 2024: Human rights-centric practices essential for foreign investment, says UN

4th June 2024 Business Standard: NHRC orders probe into alleged embezzlement of Tk150cr from Malaysia-bound workers

4th June 2024 Business Standard: 47,809 Bangladeshis flew to Malaysia in May – highest since labour market reopened in 2022

Daily Sun 3rd June: IRREGULARITIES IN MIGRATION TO MALAYSIA – Recruiting agencies never made accountable(good historical summary)

Business Standard 4th June 2024:Dhaka-20, Feni-2 MPs deny allegations of involvement in embezzling money from Malaysia-bound workers

SCMP 3rd June 2024: ‘Nothing left for me’ as thousands of Bangladeshi workers lose everything in failed bid to work in Malaysia

Daily Star Editorial 3rd June 2024: Must our migrants pay the price every time?

Prothomalo 3rd June 2024 – Bangladesh Labour market: Hapless workers lose all vying to go to Malaysia

Daily Sun 3rd June 2024: IRREGULARITIES IN MIGRATION TO MALAYSIA: Recruiting agencies never made accountable

FMT 3rd June 2024: 17,000 Bangladeshi workers stranded, Dhaka pleads for time

Daily Star 3rd June 2024: 16,970 Bangladeshis failed to reach Malaysia for mismanagement, more destitution and modern slavery will result

Daily Star 3rd June 2024 – Bangladeshi Migrant Worker Exploitation and Malaysian Labour Market Alleged Criminal Syndicate: The agencies picked by KL to blame, Bangladesh tells UN OHCHR

Daily Star 2nd June 2024: Controversial recruitment system to stay 3 more years

Daily Star 2nd June – Jobs in Malaysia: Mismanagement left over 3k workers with no ticket to KL

Daily Star 1st June 2024: Must history repeat itself with the Malaysian labour market’s alleged criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi migrant workers for forced labour

MALAYSIAKINI June 1st 2024: Controversial worker management system BESTINET gets new lease, sources say

1st June 2024 Kalerkantho: Malaysia’s dream ends in deprivation for Bangladeshi migrant workers of criminal syndicate

FMT 31st May 2024: Expect Bangladeshi workers to be stranded and at high risk of modern slavery following Malaysian migration management deadline rush, warns activist

SCMP 31st May 2024: Malaysians shocked by thousands of Bangladeshis crowding at airport to beat deadline for legal work, as UN and activists warn of increased modern slavery risks

CNA 31st May 2024: Over 30,000 workers set to miss deadline to enter Malaysia even as officials clear backlog at KL airport

Prothomalo 31 May 2024 – Bangladesh – Malaysia’s labour market: Repeated syndicates, repeated closure

Prothomalo 31st May 2024: Bangladesh – Thousands of people crowded Dhaka airport without flight tickets to go to Malaysia

31st May 2024 FMT: Govt reaffirms commitment to protect migrant workers’ rights to UN

31st May 2024: The closure of the labor market in Malaysia has shattered the dreams of 31,000 workers

Daily Star 31 May 2024 – Recruitment in Malaysia: Syndicate siphons over $1b out of Bangladesh

Daily Sun 31st May 2024: Biman sends 2,000 migrant workers to Malaysia

Business Standard 31st May 2024: Malaysia-bound workers scammed, stranded at Dhaka airport as deadline set to expire today

Daily Star 30th May 2024: Manpower syndicates beyond Dhaka-KL control

30th May 2024: Comment by Andy Hall, independent migrant worker rights specialist, on ongoing migrant worker management crisis in Malaysia and at KLIA airport today, Bangladeshi workers at high risk of modern slavery

CNA 30th May 2024: ‘Congestion’ at KL airport as employers scramble to bring in thousands of migrant workers before deadline

MALAYSIAKINI 30th May 2023: ‘Migrants influx at KLIA due to employers chasing deadline’

30th May 2024 Benar News: Malaysia’s labor market closed – Migrant workers flock to airports in all countries

29th May Daily Star: Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia – Hiring begins with bribery (UN independent experts say Bangladeshi workers pay up to 8 times for migration alone due to corruption of Malaysia ministries, Bangladesh mission and syndicates)

29th May Daily Star: Airfare to Malaysia surges fivefold

FMT 28th May 2024: Malaysia yet to respond to UN concerns on alleged criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi migrant victims for forced labour in the country(with my full statement included)

For Immediate Release 27th May 2024: Statement by Andy Hall, Independent Migrant Worker Rights Specialist, on today’s public release of UN OHCHR’s unanswered urgent appeal communications to the Malaysian and Bangladeshi Governments 

30th May Star: Cyclone smashes Bangladeshi workers’ hopes, extension requested

Channel News Asia 25th May 2024: Malaysia’s bid to revamp hiring of foreign workers through controversial BESTINET process faces pushback; activists say country’s reputation at stake

22nd May 2024: UN expert – Malaysian law enforcement mixing up human trafficking, migrant smuggling – “What steps has Malaysia taken to investigate alleged complicity of public officials in human trafficking?’’

20th May 2024 FMT: Duped Bangladeshi workers won’t impact Malaysia’s US Human trafficking report ranking, says HR Minister Sim

Malay Mail 17th May 2024: Pengerang employer to face Labour Court in Malaysia after failing for months to pay Bangladeshi workers’ wages over RM1m (government statements and my comments included – months on, court agreed mediation settlement unforced, workers allegedly remain in situation akin to acute modern slavery)

16th May 2024: Firm that left over 700 Bangladeshi workers to dry in Pengerang facing possible prosecution (months on, court agreed mediation settlement unforced, workers allegedly remain in situation akin to acute modern slavery)

14th May 2024: FMT – Activists warn of US trafficking report downgrade for Malaysia amid UN criticism

May 10th 2024 The Star: Malaysian Government responds to OHCHR, IOM, ILO and UNODC joint condemnation on alleged Bangaldeshi migrant worker criminal syndicate by pledging to set up special unit handling migrant workers’ grievances, says HR Minister Sim

9th May 2024: Study: 96% of Bangladeshi workers going to Malaysia fall into recruitment debt– The study also said that 82% had two or more loans and 73% of workers spent at least 50% to 100% of their monthly salary to repay recruitment debts

4th May 2024: UN agencies concerned over Bangladeshi workers stranded in Malaysia – Joint Statement of ILO, IOM and UNODC on Alleged Criminal Syndicate Trafficking Bangladeshi Workers for Forced Labour in Malaysia

24th April 2024: Address plight of duped Bangladeshi migrant workers in Malaysia in response to UN warning, govt told (more on the ongoing saga of an alleged criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi migrant workers for forced labour in Malaysia)

19th April 2024: UN (OHCHR) Statement on Alleged Criminal Syndicate Trafficking Bangladeshi Workers for Forced Labour in Malaysia – ‘Malaysia: Bangladeshi workers must be protected from exploitation and criminalisation, say UN experts’

FMT 19th April 2024: UN experts sound alarm over plight of duped Bangladeshi migrants in Malaysia

For more on Andy Hall’s complaint to the OHCHR see 30th Oct 2023: FMT: Andy Hall refers stranded Bangladeshi workers’ plight in Malaysia to UN Human Rights Council

See Daily Star 23rd Apr 2024: Bangladesh Plight of Migrant Workers – Bangladesh, Malaysia working group meeting likely in May

See Daily Star Editorial 23rd Apr 2024: When even legal migrants suffer – Workers migrating to Malaysia legally deserve better protection 

Business Standard 23rd April 2024: Expat Ministry reviews UN complaints on Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia

Prothomalo 23rd April 2024: Bangladesh – Ministry reviewing allegations over Malaysia labour market

BenarNews Malay Language: Pakar PBB gesa Malaysia tangani layanan buruk diterima pekerja Bangladesh (UN expert urges Malaysia to handle bad treatment received by Bangladeshi workers)

Daily Star 19th Apr 2024: UN experts express dismay over situation of Bangladeshi migrants in Malaysia

FMT 19th Apr 2024: PSM, news portal set aside order to stop debate on migrant workers’ plight

Daily Star Editorial 17th April 2024: Save our migrants in Malaysia (more on the crisis caused by an alleged criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi workers for forced labour in Malaysia)

9th April 2024 The Star – Bangladeshi victims of criminal syndicate trafficking worked for forced labour in Malaysia: ‘Cops after workers, not rogue employers’

7th April 2024: SCMP – As Malaysia’s door closes on low-paid migrant workers, companies scramble for staff (and a systemically corrupt migration management and recruitment policy, devoid of the rule of law and leading to impunity and gross exploitation, is revealed)

6th April 2024 Daily Star: A hostel of nightmares for Bangladeshi migrants allegedly trafficked by criminal syndicate for forced labour in Malaysia (and Daily Star Op Ed)

Daily Star Editorial 6th Apr 2024: What will happen to migrants abandoned in Malaysia?

26th March 2024: The Star – Freeze on foreign workers hiring quota in Malaysia stays for now, says HR Minister (with estimated 200,000+ surplus foreign workforce victims facing destitution and abuse)

25th March 2024: Bangladeshi workers (alleged victims of criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi workers for forced labour in Malaysia) claim being coerced into withdrawing police and labour complaints

Daily Star 25th Mar: Malaysia employer framed Bangladeshi workers

Daily Star 24th Mar 2024: Jailed in Malaysia – 3 Bangladesh workers released

Editorial Prothomalo 24th Mar 2024: Malaysian labour market – Take action against the fraud syndicate

FMT 23rd March 2024: PSM calls on Sim to look into arrest of Bangladeshi workers

MALAYSIAKINI 23 Mar 2024: Stranded foreign workers (alleged victims of criminal syndicate trafficking Bangladeshi workers for forced labour in Malaysia) nabbed after labour complaints against employer

23rd March 2024 The Star: Half a million vulnerable and irregular foreign workers disappear from Malaysia’s migrant worker regularization programme as deadline looms in one week

23 Mar 2024 The Star: Verification rate lags as RTK 2.0 deadline approaches

22nd March 2024 Malay Mail: Home minister – Over RM9m in fines collected so far through migrant repatriation programme

22nd March 2024 Protomalo: Malaysian labour market set to be closed again due to syndication

20th March 2024: 93 duped/detained Bangladeshi migrant workers in Malaysia have jobs now, says immigration DG

20th Mar 2024 Business Standard: Bangladeshi workers’ plight in Malaysia: Coalition of migration orgs demand action against recruiting agency syndicate

19th March 2024: FMT – Plantation firms wary of ‘forced labour’ concerns in hiring 200,000 surplus foreign workers/criminal syndicate victims in Malaysia, says minister – indeed he’s right, who wants to take on destitute foreign workers often with US$4-7000 in debt?