Bangladeshi workers protest in Malaysia over unpaid wages and mistreatment claims

Core Points - Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia are protesting for unpaid wages and fair treatment, highlighting systemic abuse in the labor market [1][2][3] - The Migrant Welfare Network is advocating for immediate action from authorities and international buyers to address these issues [3] - Complaints have been filed against Malaysian companies Mediceram and Kawaguchi Manufacturing for labor exploitation and neglect [3][4] Group 1: Worker Conditions - Many factories in Malaysia depend on migrant workers from Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Nepal due to local workers avoiding low-wage, poor-condition jobs [3] - Reports indicate that Bangladeshi workers have faced significant wage withholding, with some not receiving payment for up to eight months [5][6] - The Malaysian Labor Court ruled that Mediceram should pay workers 1,000 ringgit per month, but payments were not consistently made [6][7] Group 2: Company Accountability - Complaints against Kawaguchi involve withholding wages and mistreatment, leading to diplomatic tensions between Bangladesh and Malaysia [5][7] - The Australian company Ansell, a major customer of Mediceram, is implicated in a complaint regarding forced labor practices [3][4] - The situation has prompted calls for stricter oversight of recruitment agencies and middlemen involved in the employment of migrant workers [7]