Sony Group Corporation said its on-site audit of the Malaysian factory that supplies plastic components for its electronic products found the contractor had violated their supply chain code of conduct, following allegations of forced labour practices previously raised by activists and workers.

The electronics giant is one of three Japanese mega firms to source plastic components from Kawaguchi Manufacturing Sdn Bhd, the Klang-based company accused of various forced labour practices that were first brought to light by workers who went on strike to demand months of unpaid salary. The other two are Panasonic and Daikin, the air conditioner maker.

Sony said the company puts in place strict supply chain rules that include requiring suppliers to respect the human rights of its workers and explicitly prohibits the use of trafficked and forced labour, including exploitative labour, confiscation of passports or collection of recruitment fees.

“As regarding the questioned supplier, in accordance with the above policy, we have conducted the investigations including an on-site audit by a third-party auditor and our direct communications with the company,” the company said in a statement sent to the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre, an advocacy group that monitors human rights abuses among businesses.

“Through these investigations, we have reason to believe there were violations of the Code at the company.”

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