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

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

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

The workers urged the Bangladesh government to intervene with the relevant Malaysian authorities, clarify the status of work-permit renewal applications, protect them from detention, deportation and retaliation, assist in recovering unpaid wages and legal entitlements, and provide emergency humanitarian support where necessary.

Besides unpaid salaries, the workers alleged excessive recruitment fees of up to RM20,000 for some employees, questionable flight-ticket deposits and hostel deductions, failure to provide proper payslips, and inadequate accommodation, including reports that about 35 workers are living in shipping containers at the company’s premises.

A key concern raised 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 nearing expiry, leaving 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, 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, workers carried placards demanding payment of their wages, protection of migrant workers 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 called on the Bangladesh High Commission to maintain direct communication with the affected workers, coordinate with Malaysian labour and immigration authorities, and ensure that no worker is detained, deported or pressured to withdraw lawful claims while legal proceedings continue.