Australian glove-maker Ansell is being accused of using an overseas supplier that has allegedly exploited more than 200 factory workers — including through forced labour — in a complaint lodged with the federal government.

The Melbourne-based company confirmed to the ABC that it has investigated allegations involving workers at the Malaysian factory, among others, and "identified a number of issues that did not meet international labour standards".

It is now the subject of a complaint lodged with the federal Treasury — where disputes over minimum labour standards at multinational companies are filed — by international labour activist Andy Hall.

According to the complaint, more than 220 Bangladeshi workers at MediCeram, which makes moulds for Ansell's gloves, "have suffered serious abuses of fundamental worker and human rights".

The alleged abuses include wage theft, forced labour and debt bondage, as well as the deportation of workers who complained about their treatment.

MediCeram vehemently denies any abuse of its workers.

In his complaint, Mr Hall said the workers paid fees of about $US5,200 each to recruiters in Bangladesh, leaving them in debt bondage.

Many took industrial action in March over allegations of several months of unpaid wages and overtime, according to the complaint…