Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia remain unpaid for 5 months
Riepilogo
Date Reported: 31 Ago 2024
Location: Malesia
Companies
Kawaguchi Manufacturing - Employer , Panasonic - Buyer , Sony - Buyer , Daikin - BuyerAffected
Total individuals affected: 200
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - Bangladesh , Manufacturing: General , Men , Undocumented migrants ) , Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - Bangladesh , Manufacturing: General , Men , Unknown migration status )Issues
Wage Theft , Recruitment Fees , Denial of leave , Reasonable Working Hours & Leisure Time , Precarious/Unsuitable Living Conditions , Failing to renew visas , Protection from arbitrary arrest, detention or exile , Intimidation , Access to Non-Judicial Remedy , Restricted mobility , Withholding Passports , Forced Labour & Modern Slavery , Mental Health , Right to Food , Access to Water , Access to electricity , Freedom of ExpressionResponse
Response sought: Yes, by Resource Centre & Journalists
External link to response: (Find out more)
Action taken: In September, the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre invited Daikin, Panasonic, and Sony to respond to the findings, and: a) confirm whether they still source from Kawaguchi Manufacturing, and/or the date when they stopped sourcing from the company; b) disclose any human rights due diligence they undertake prior to entering into contracts with suppliers and when monitoring working conditions at suppliers; c) disclose the steps they have taken to investigate the abuse reported; and, d) disclose the steps they have taken to remedy workers for the fee-charging, intimidation of protesting workers, and wage theft. Daikin, Panasonic and Sony all responded. Daikin said it has not yet terminated its relationship with Kawaguchi as it is aware this may create additional human rights risks. It highlights the specific grievance mechanisms through which it became aware of the human rights abuses, its actions (including meeting with Kawaguchi and the specific dates it did so), and the impact of those actions, including a commitment by Kawaguchi to pay the workers. It says it will monitor whether the commitments are being kept, and is having meetings with the Government to determine appropriate remedies. Sony outlined its policy commitments, and said it will conduct an investigation and take "appropriate measures" according to its policy commitments. Panasonic named its policies and risk assessment practices of suppliers. It confirmed business relationship with Kawaguchi Manufacturing and said it is investgating the issue, and will take necessary measures, including requesting Kawaguchi Manufacturing to take corrective actions safeguarding the interests of the impacted workers. The company’s office was raided by the Port Klang Manpower Office (PTK) on September 3 following a complaint by a migrant worker rights activist, Andy Hall, and found Hall's allegations to 'have basis'. The top management have been summoned to appear before PTK officers .
Source type: News outlet
Over 200 Bangladeshi workers employed by Kawaguchi Manufacturing Sdn Bhd in Malaysia have been left unpaid for five consecutive months, sparking protests and a plea for intervention from the Bangladesh Embassy.
…the company has since withheld their wages, causing significant distress among the workers, many of whom had sold their possessions or taken high-interest loans to finance their move abroad.
On Friday, 30th August, the workers staged a protest outside the company's premises, demanding their overdue wages. In response, the company reportedly countered with threats and took punitive actions against some workers, including levelling false charges and repatriating them to Bangladesh.
Four workers were blacklisted and sent back home, with a five-year ban on re-entering Malaysia….
The workers, who are subjected to gruelling 12-hour shifts, including three hours of overtime, are facing severe financial hardship…
"We are unable to repay the debts we took on in Bangladesh, and despite informing the company of our dire situation, they have disregarded our concerns and threatened us with deportation." [one of the affected workers said]…