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21 January, 2025IndustriALL is demanding that the Malaysian government act immediately to counter the serious labour rights abuses, including elements of modern slavery, at Kawaguchi Manufacturing in the country.
In September 2024, allegations against Kawaguchi Manufacturing surfaced through public media, later confirmed by the Malaysian Labour Department. These included wage theft, recruitment fee exploitation, denial of leave, poor living conditions, visa renewal refusals, intimidation tactics such as detention and deportation threats, and the withholding of migrant workers’ passports. Over 200 local and Bangladeshi migrant workers were reportedly affected by these violations of national labour laws, international labour standards, and human rights.
Major brands, including Sony, Panasonic and Daikin, which sourced from the company, are urged to provide remediation for the affected workers. Simply withdrawing operations without compensation risks worsening the workers' plight, leaving them without wages or prospects for a better future.
Gopal Krishnam, secretary of IndustriALL Malaysia Council, says :
“This is as a serious violation of workers' rights and human rights. A systemic approach from the government is urgently needed. Although reformed, Malaysia’s labour still contain weaknesses. There is a lack of law sanctions on employers' interference in organizing, lack of access to the workplace when employers campaign against unions, and no protection for migrant workers who are often threatened with retaliation if they vote for unions.”
Alexander Ivanou, IndustriALL sector director says:
”IndustriALL calls on Kawaguchi Manufacturing to respect international labour standards and on brands like Panasonic, Sony and Daikin to ensure their supply chains are free from exploitation. There must be full and immediate remediation for the affected workers, including payment of all due wages and compensation for the moral harm caused by exploitation. Brands sourcing from Kawaguchi must take responsibility for supply chain practices and contribute to worker compensation if the employer defaults.
“The Malaysian government is called upon to ensure compliance with labour standards, establishing worker-driven remediation mechanisms that allow grievances to be reported and addressed without fear of retaliation. IndustriALL is urging the government to create a fast-response body to support victimized workers and implement robust policies to combat forced labour and exploitation in Malaysia."
Photo credit: andyjhall.org