UN human rights experts have warned about the growing risks of systematic exploitation, fraud, and debt bondage faced by Bangladeshi migrant workers in Malaysia. Many workers suffer from passport confiscation, false job promises, discrepancies between contracts and actual work conditions, and lack of monitoring by relevant government agencies. These concerns were highlighted in a report published on Wednesday (26 November) by international rights organization Human Rights Watch (HRW).
More than 800,000 Bangladeshis currently hold work permits in Malaysia, making them the country’s largest group of legally employed foreign workers. According to information received by the UN, many workers have paid up to five times the official recruitment cost yet either never made it to Malaysia or faced extreme exploitation upon arrival.
Workers without proper documentation are vulnerable to arrest, detention, inhumane treatment, and deportation. Malaysia’s strict immigration laws classify any unauthorized entry as a criminal offense. Frequent crackdowns continue, and nearly 18,000 migrant workers, refugees, and asylum seekers are currently being held at immigration detention centers.
Earlier, the United States imposed import bans on several Malaysian factories. The European Union is also implementing the ‘Forced Labour Regulation,’ which will restrict trade in goods produced using forced labor starting in 2027. Products linked to worker debt bondage or fraudulent recruitment may be banned under these rules.
Bangladesh, Malaysia, and other labor-sending countries—as well as buyers in the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union—have committed to protecting workers’ rights. UN experts have urged Malaysia and Bangladesh to investigate complaints promptly and ensure effective remedies. They emphasized that forced returns or retaliatory measures would violate international human rights standards.
HRW stated that international buyers sourcing from Malaysia should follow the Fair Labor Association’s responsible recruitment guidelines. These guidelines advise buyers to include responsible recruitment costs in their procurement standards and ensure that suppliers reflect these costs in their invoices. Buyers must also help ensure legal support for workers.
HRW has urged Bangladesh and Malaysia to take action to end worker exploitation. The organization warned that countries relying on migrant labor must reform their practices, or they risk facing more sanctions in the future—prolonging the suffering of thousands of workers.
