BD workers at Aerofoam seek urgent govt intervention

More than 100 Bangladeshi migrant workers employed by Aerofoam Manufacturing (1969) Sdn. Bhd. in Malaysia have sought urgent intervention from the Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur over unpaid wages, expired work permits, deteriorating living conditions and the need for emergency food support.

A delegation of workers, accompanied by labour rights group Jaringan Solidariti Pekerja (JSP), submitted a memorandum and a letter to the High Commission during the visit of Bangladeshi government representatives responsible for labour and migrant-worker affairs.

According to a press release received in Dhaka on Tuesday, the appeal represents around 109 Bangladeshi workers who have filed claims with the Malaysian Labour Department over nearly three months of unpaid wages. About 40 workers with valid work permits attended the submission, while the remaining workers continue to face uncertainty over their immigration status.

In the memorandum, the workers urged the Bangladesh government to engage with the relevant Malaysian authorities, clarify the status of work-permit renewal applications, protect them from detention, deportation and retaliation, help recover their unpaid wages and legal entitlements, and provide emergency humanitarian assistance where necessary.

The workers also alleged that some employees had paid recruitment fees of up to RM20,000, while raising concerns over flight-ticket deposits, hostel deductions, the absence of proper payslips and poor accommodation. They claimed that around 35 workers are currently living in shipping containers at the company's premises.

A major concern highlighted in the memorandum is whether the employer or recruitment agents properly submitted applications to renew the workers' permits.

 Many permits have already expired, while others are close to expiry, leaving the workers vulnerable to immigration enforcement despite ongoing legal proceedings.

The workers' passports have reportedly been returned following complaints to the authorities. However, their wage disputes, work-permit issues and welfare concerns remain unresolved. Their claims are currently being heard by the Malaysian Labour Department with legal assistance.

During a peaceful solidarity gathering outside the Bangladesh High Commission, the workers carried placards demanding payment of their wages, protection of migrant workers' rights and an end to forced deportation.

"We came to Malaysia legally and worked honestly to support our families. We are only asking to receive the wages we earned and to be protected while our cases are being resolved," a workers' representative said.

JSP urged the Bangladesh High Commission to maintain direct communication with the affected workers, coordinate with the Malaysian labour and immigration authorities, and ensure that no worker is detained, deported or pressured to withdraw lawful claims while the legal proceedings continue.