United Nations human rights experts said exploitation of Bangladeshi migrant workers in Malaysia is “widespread and systematic,” driven by high recruitment fees, deception, and deepening debt bondage.
More than 800,000 Bangladeshis hold Malaysian work permits, making them the largest group of documented foreign workers. According to information received by the United Nations, some workers paid recruitment fees five times higher than the official rate and were left stranded in Bangladesh or exposed to abuse after arrival.
The experts cited passport confiscation, false job promises, contract discrepancies, and limited support from responsible agencies. They said undocumented workers face arrest, detention, and deportation under Malaysia’s immigration act, which criminalizes irregular entry.
They urged Bangladesh, Malaysia, and governments in labor-receiving countries to investigate abuses, prevent reprisals, and support responsible recruitment and legal aid for workers.