...In 2024, Transparentem investigators interviewed 22 migrant workers from Vietnam employed by four textile, electronics, and appliance suppliers in Taiwan. Our investigation found evidence of high recruitment fees paid by workers, in most cases requiring them to take loans, which put migrant workers at risk of debt bondage, which the International Labour Organization (ILO) has recognized as an indicator of forced labor. Transparentem found evidence of other labor abuses at one of the suppliers.

From June to September 2024, Transparentem sent reports to the four manufacturers (see table below) and 21 buyers with possible supply chain connections to them. The reports presented evidence of labor abuses and recommended actions that manufacturers and buyers should take to correct and remedy harm. We were encouraged that all four manufacturers and several buyers opted to take action to address the problems Transparentem found, including planning for reimbursement of recruitment fees and related costs at all four manufacturers, according to their reports. One of the buyers has already reimbursed an estimated $1.5 million to workers, and Transparentem expects significant additional amounts to be repaid to workers in the coming months...