Key takeaways:

·         172 workers terminated (total affected)

·         97 workers sent home since 2024

·         44 workers repatriated this month alone in 3 phases

·         Valid visas for 7-10 months cancelled overnight

·         48 workers needed emergency flights

·         Workers forced home despite valid visas

·         Company broke promises repeatedly about visa processing

·         High Commission warned workers instead of protecting them

·         UN human rights experts raised concerns about exploitation

·         Workers trapped with heavy debts and no recourse

·         31 more workers sent back within days of High Commission meeting

·         Strike threat used to justify mass deportation

·         Repatriations happening in waves (creating ongoing crisis)

Malaysian company Medisaram has sent home 97 Bangladeshi workers since 2024 despite their valid employment visas, sparking concern from United Nations human rights experts over systematic exploitation.

Twenty-one workers arrived at Shahjalal International Airport through Gate 2 at midnight Wednesday (November 19), latest batch in an accelerating repatriation crisis. Some held visas valid for seven months whilst others possessed 10-month permits when Medisaram abruptly cancelled documentation and forced them home.

Medisaram, based in Nilai, terminated 172 employees and has repatriated 44 workers this month alone across three phases. Workers say they had contracts spanning six to 10 months before sudden termination.

"We cannot stay there anymore," affected employees said. Company initially sent home 10 workers, then six more, followed by 26 whose visas were cancelled recently. Two days ago, another 22 faced deportation.

Visa processing emerged as the core problem. Medisaram repeatedly promised proper documentation but failed to deliver, workers reported. When 26 employees approached Bangladesh High Commission last week seeking intervention, officials pledged discussions with Malaysian authorities and company management.

However, within days, 31 more workers were sent packing. High Commission's Facebook statement warned that continued strikes risked mass repatriation. With diplomatic assistance, flights were eventually arranged for 48 workers.

United Nations human rights experts have now raised red flags over fraudulent recruitment practices and worker exploitation. UN statement highlighted false promises, recruitment irregularities, passport confiscation and inconsistent employment terms plaguing migrant workers.

These practices leave workers burdened with heavy debts and exposed to serious human rights violations, experts warned.