Solidarity with Migrant Workers at Mediceram on Their Third Strike for Justice!

Mediceram Sdn Bhd, a ceramic mould manufacturer for the glove industry and a supplier to multinational brands such as Ansell, YTY, and Top Glove, has been accused of exploiting migrant workers since 2017. These workers were recruited through a human trafficking syndicate, as confirmed by various media investigations and reports by international bodies, including the United Nations. They were forced to pay recruitment fees averaging RM22,500, pushing many into long-term debt bondage — subjected to high interest rates and left without any form of support network. Under such conditions, workers frequently faced irregular wage deductions, confiscation of passports, and threats of dismissal or deportation if they dared to speak up for their rights.

The strike that began on 1 March 2025 was grounded in clear demands: payment of overdue wages and overtime, return of passports, timely renewal of work permits, improvements in living conditions, and reimbursement of all recruitment costs. However, pressure and intimidation against the workers escalated. There were allegations that eleven worker committee members were threatened with death by management — an appalling tactic that reflects the arrogance of the capitalist class in confronting the legitimate demands of workers. Yet, the workers had made it clear that they were willing to continue working, provided that long-standing issues were resolved.

As a result of collective pressure from the workers, supported by international labour rights investigator Andy Hall, Mediceram eventually agreed alongside its buyers to reimburse the average RM22,500 recruitment costs found in an audit process led by a third-party body (the RBA) to every worker, with a repayment deadline promised by January 2026. The company also agreed to reimburse former workers these costs.

Migrant workers — regardless of the country — are often trapped in conditions barely distinguishable from modern forms of slavery in Malaysia and around the world. Unsafe, cramped, and filthy living quarters; the chains of debt with high interest rates that not only bind them but worsen the lives of their families back home; dangerous and insecure jobs; and a total absence of any meaningful social safety net — these all reflect the grim reality of how migrant workers have long been exploited and oppressed to the maximum by the employing class.

In Malaysia, a 2024 study by Verité, Sheva Consultants, BOMSA, and WARBE-DF found that 96% of migrant workers were forced to take on loans just to cover the cost of recruitment — including documentation, medical check-ups, and travel expenses — while 73% had to spend between half to all of their monthly wages to repay these debts. Many workers are also victims of false promises regarding wages and working conditions, and they suffer intense psychological stress from prolonged financial burdens.

A 2023 report by the International Organization for Migration revealed that many workers who originally arrived legally in Malaysia ended up undocumented after being forced to leave their jobs due to severe exploitation, delays in permit renewals, contract fraud, and the confiscation of passports by employers or agents. Unsafe working conditions and deplorable living environments further pushed workers out of their workplaces. Meanwhile, employers continue to rake in profits unchecked, without any form of accountability to restrain their greed. Workers are left to live in constant fear — with no access to justice, no functioning grievance mechanisms, and no guarantees of the basic human rights that should underpin all forms of employment.

The global economic crisis has only worsened the plight of the working class. In this context, migrant workers face a compounded level of exploitation to ensure production costs remain as low as possible. Bangladeshi workers are not only exploited by international employers and the Malaysian government, but also by the Bangladeshi government itself, which remains under the grip of imperialism and lacks the power to protect and uplift Bangladeshi migrant workers from the various threats they face across the world. The capitalist class, ever intent on securing profit, continuously seeks new ways to intensify labor exploitation. To demand justice and assert their basic rights, the workers at Mediceram demanded that they be allowed to organize and democratically elect a committee of their representatives and have now collectively decided to launch a strike — a courageous act of resistance against the employer’s betrayal and repression.

The workers’ strike remains the most powerful weapon to demonstrate that the real power in the economy lies in their hands. It is an effective tool to demand just and fair treatment. However, every action they take will be fiercely opposed by the capitalist class. Therefore, support from other labor organizations — especially youth groups and local worker networks — is crucial to ensure the success of this strike at Mediceram, until all their core demands are met and accountability is enforced on the employers.

We fully stand in solidarity with the striking workers at Mediceram in their struggle for justice. After all, a tree does not sway without the wind. The continued strike by workers at Mediceram is a direct response to the oppression they face from their bosses. The fight of migrant workers in Malaysia must be supported and strengthened by local worker organizations — particularly principled and militant trade unions. The current wave of repression against Mediceram workers reveals, with clarity, how the capitalist class has no regard for the rights of the working masses. It is thus the duty of trade unions and labor organizations to build bridges of support and solidarity to strengthen the struggle of the Mediceram workers. Even the formation of the existing workers’ committee must be further developed and strengthened into a militant trade union — one that is capable of defending against and resisting the capitalist class’s oppression of migrant workers across the region. This struggle can no longer be based solely on economic demands, but must be connected to an independent political struggle — free from the influence of the capitalist class and their representatives in parliament.

We, Workers’ Solidarity Network, AKSI and Sekolah Merdeka believe that the employer’s repeated betrayal of the existing agreement in this case demonstrates a blatant disregard for the workers’ basic demands. Instead, management is solely focused on profit, acting arbitrarily and manipulating workers who are bravely standing up for their rights.

We have even received reports of how the management has resorted to intimidating the Mediceram workers by calling in the police and other authorities — deliberately attempting to frighten the workers, even though the working class is simply demanding their basic rights in a just manner! This clearly shows how the capitalist class, together with the apparatuses of the state, are colluding to suppress working-class resistance. We view the struggle of the Mediceram workers as part of a broader class struggle — a fight against the ruthless exploitation inherent in the capitalist economy itself. Only by building a working-class movement that transcends national, ethnic, linguistic, and religious boundaries can a truly unified struggle be carried forward — towards a socialist world.

Alongside this statement, the Workers’ Solidarity Network includes the list of core demands made by the striking workers at Mediceram.

Serious Complaints Regarding Workers’ Rights and Safety

With deep regret and frustration, we inform you that nearly 190 workers are facing continuous harassment. Previous promises, written and verbal agreements have repeatedly been broken by management, resulting in unjust treatment towards the workers. We demand a permanent, respectful, and effective solution. The following issues are outlined in order of urgency:

Threats and Misconduct by Safety In-Charge:

On 24 June at 4:50 PM, management organized a meeting where workers were asked to sign a document without clear explanation. When workers inquired about the reason, the Safety In-Charge threatened and scolded them.

This behavior is not only unprofessional but also deeply disrespectful and demoralizing for the workers.

Death Threats to 11 Committee Members:

In a recent meeting, the employer directly threatened to kill 11 committee members for voicing the concerns and demands of the workers.

This is not just a personal threat — it is a serious risk to the safety and dignity of the entire workforce.

Visa Delays and Broken Promises:

Management had promised that by the 15th, all workers would receive their visas and passports. In reality, more than 90 workers still haven’t received visas.

This is a clear case of deception and jeopardizes the workers’ future and stability.

Forced Repatriation of a Medically Cleared Worker:

One worker, initially marked unfit during medical tests, was later declared fit by a second authorized test. Despite this, a flight ticket to send him back to Bangladesh on 1st of the month has been confirmed.

According to previous agreements, any repatriated worker must be sent home with full recruitment fee refunded. No such assurance has been given, leaving the worker and his family in financial and emotional distress.

Neglect in Medical Care and Disrespect to the Committee:

When workers fall ill, urgent treatment is often delayed. If a committee member intervenes, management responds with disrespect and harsh behavior.

Demand: Management must respect the committee’s role and ensure timely action for workers’ health and welfare

Recruitment Fee Deception:

Despite customers having already paid the recruitment fees, management is not properly disbursing the money to the workers. In a discussion with the committee, the employer promised to pay RM 2800, but later reduced it to RM 1800. This has caused serious financial hardship and emotional distress for the workers.

Demand: Pay the full recruitment fee in one installment to relieve workers from financial pressure.

Recruitment Fee for Repatriated Workers:

As per agreement, workers who have already returned to Bangladesh were supposed to receive a refund of their recruitment fees. However, management has taken no action in this regard, and those workers are currently living in severe hardship.

Breach of Agreement:

After the new committee was formed, management signed a mutual agreement promising to accept the workers’ demands. But in a recent meeting, the employer clearly stated he will not abide by the agreement.

This is a grave breach of trust and commitment.

Room Overcrowding and Health Risks:

In the new hostel, each small room is being forced to accommodate 6 workers, while workers from other companies are allowed only 3 per room. Due to extreme heat and overcrowding, many workers have become physically ill.

Demand: Ensure fair room distribution and reduce the number of occupants to maintain health and safety standards.