They deserve
rights too.
An awareness campaign shining light on unfair recruitment debt faced by migrant workers in Malaysia.
An awareness campaign shining light on unfair recruitment debt faced by migrant workers in Malaysia.
The Unheard Voice is a Sociology research project and student-led awareness campaign initiated by four International Relations students from Taylor’s University. We are raising our voices against the systemic issue of unfair recruitment debt that traps many migrant workers — especially those from Bangladesh — in cycles of exploitation even before they begin working in Malaysia.
Through powerful storytelling, data, and both online and onsite initiatives, we aim to humanise the statistics and push for fairer recruitment practices and stronger protections for migrant workers.
Many migrant workers arrive in Malaysia already burdened with heavy recruitment debts. These debts often come from excessive and sometimes illegal recruitment fees charged by agents in their home countries.
This creates a form of debt bondage where workers are forced to work under exploitative conditions just to repay these fees. Common issues include wage theft, passport confiscation, poor living conditions, and limited freedom to change jobs.
We run both online and onsite booth campaigns to raise awareness about unfair recruitment debt faced by migrant workers in Malaysia.
A group of International Relations students at Taylor’s University conducting this Sociology research project.
Leads campaign direction, research, and overall strategy.
Content creation and social media outreach.
Website development, digital tools, and survey coordination.
Design, communications, and visual storytelling.
A Malaysia where migrant workers are treated with dignity and are free from exploitative recruitment practices and debt bondage.
To raise awareness about unfair recruitment debt and labour exploitation faced by migrant workers in Malaysia, and advocate for their fundamental right to dignity and fair treatment.
Malaysia depends heavily on over 2 million migrant workers. Many arrive already trapped in debt due to excessive and often illegal recruitment fees — especially workers from Bangladesh.
Approximately 28 million people are trapped in forced labour worldwide. Recruitment debt is one of the most common and devastating tools used to exploit migrant workers across borders.
Collecting real voices to reveal the human cost of recruitment debt.
Workshops and events at Taylor’s University to educate and mobilise students.
Using social media to humanise migrant workers and demand fair treatment.
We are deeply grateful to Dr Wan Pupsa Melati Wan Abdul Halim for her invaluable guidance and support throughout this project.
Help us raise awareness on unfair recruitment debt faced by migrant workers in Malaysia.