PORT KLANG, Malaysia - Approximately 280 Bangladeshi migrant workers are seeking hundreds of thousands of dollars in unpaid wages from their former employer, Kawaguchi Manufacturing, a plastic parts supplier for major Japanese companies that recently shut down operations in Malaysia's largest port city [1][2].

The workers at Kawaguchi Manufacturing's factory in Port Klang were left stranded after the company withheld their wages for up to eight months before closing late last year. In response, the affected workers have filed complaints both in Malaysia and Bangladesh [3][4].

This dispute has escalated into a diplomatic issue between Bangladesh and Malaysia, shining a spotlight on the influential group of recruitment agencies and middlemen who control access to such jobs [2][3].

Asif Nazrul, an adviser to Bangladesh's expatriate welfare ministry, met with Malaysia's Home Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong in Kuala Lumpur last week to discuss the matter. A follow-up meeting was scheduled for May 21, 2025, in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh [1][4].

The situation has gained additional significance in Bangladesh, where the interim government that took power following a contentious election in January has prioritized addressing the grievances of migrant workers [3][5].

This case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by migrant workers in Southeast Asia, particularly in Malaysia, which relies heavily on foreign labor in various sectors of its economy. It also underscores the need for stronger protections and oversight in international labor practices, especially in supply chains involving multinational corporations [2][6].

As negotiations continue, the fate of the 280 Bangladeshi workers remains uncertain, with many facing financial hardship and an unclear future in Malaysia [1][5].