The Malaysian glove company Mediceram, which terminated about 190 Bangladeshi workers on October 31, sent back at least 10 of them last night and is preparing to send more to Dhaka.

One of the deported workers, Nironjon, told The Daily Star from Kuala Lumpur International Airport that he was forced onto a flight by Mediceram executives at 11:00pm last night after he went to file a case against the cancellation of their visas and deportation.

"They said if we don't take the flight, immigration will arrest and detain us as illegal aliens," he said.

Recruited in 2023, the workers faced non-payment, irregular wages, and non-renewal of visas. They organised eight to nine protests over the years, but each time the company's promises to settle debts and meet demands were broken.

The situation escalated on September 30, when immigration officers raided the factory and detained about 90 workers for allegedly lacking valid visas. Although recruitment fees were reimbursed on October 27, the company has yet to return the workers' passports or renew their visas.

Andy Hall, a migrant rights activist, said the workers had refused to leave voluntarily but were forced onto buses to the airport under extreme pressure and threats. He added that Mediceram could deport 24 more workers on November 5…