Foreign workers at Dyson supplier allege exploitation – UK report

 

A file photograph of foreign workers shown living in cramped conditions in Petaling Jaya in March. Foreign workers at an unrelated Johor factory have complained to a British newspaper of exploitation.

PETALING JAYA: Foreign workers at an electronics factory that reportedly produces parts for Dyson vacuum cleaners have made allegations of exploitation in an interview with a British newspaper.

The Sunday Mirror reported today that foreign workers at the Johor Bahru-based ATA IMS claimed that they share a room with 60 others, live in filthy conditions, and had to clock 186 hours overtime a month on top of the standard 48-hour working week.

ATA IMS is believed to be the largest contract manufacturer of electrical appliances in Malaysia. The report said ATA makes products such as vacuum cleaner bin bases and battery covers for Dyson, the British company that designs and manufactures household appliances.

ATA was also in the spotlight last month when it denied allegations of unethical recruitment and labour violations made to the US Customs and Border Protection service.

In response to the Sunday Mirror’s article, ATA senior manager Jivanadham Kavita Kaushaliya said the firm “strictly complies with labour laws and regulations relating to recruitment, minimum wages and maximum working and overtime hours”.

A spokesman for Dyson was quoted as saying the company takes action “wherever we see evidence of wrongdoing” and had seen no evidence to support the allegations related to Dyson’s supply chain.

“We are confident that the allegations and images (in the Mirror report) do not relate to Dyson’s supply chain and that Dyson products are not manufactured by workers living in these alleged conditions,” the company said in a statement.

FMT understands that Mohd Asri Abdul Wahab, a deputy director general of the labour department. led a raid at ATA’s premises on Friday, and has sought a response. - FMT