A Telegraph investigation into working conditions in the supply chain of Japanese bicycle manufacturer Shimano reports over 200 migrant workers from Bangladesh and Nepal experienced unfair recruitment and labour exploitation at Malaysian supplier Kwang Li Industry. Workers alleged they were charged extortionate recruitment fees, and experienced salary deductions and unpaid suspensions for making mistakes or failing to meet production targets. Additionally, physical abuse and threats of deportation were reported. Kwang Li Industry is alleged to have forced 82 workers to resign after just six months of work.

The Telegraph reports that Shimano supplies component parts to bicycle retailers Specialized, Giant, Trek, Evans Cycles and Halfords. The Telegraph reported comments from Shimano, Kwang Li Industry and bike retailer Halfords.

The Resource Centre contacted Kwang Li Industry, Shimano, recruitment agency Worldways Manpower and all bicycle retailers named. We invited the retailers to provide information regarding their due diligence processes for qualifying suppliers and monitoring working conditions for supply chain workers, and to describe any steps taken to remediate workers found to have experienced labour violations. Responses from Halfords, Shimano, Specialized, Trek and Worldways Manpower can be read in full below. Kwang Li Industry, Giant and Evans Cycles did not reply.