In a reported "industry first", US solar panel manufacturer First Solar has disclosed results of an audit at its Malaysia factory which uncovered "unethical labor practices", including workers being charged recruitment fees, passport retention and wage theft. First Solar has said it had taken steps to remediate the abuse, including returning passports, wages and recruitment fees to the impacted workers. First Solar also found employment terms had not been communicated in native languages and that some workers had taken voluntary overtime resulting in them working over 60 hours per week; the company said it had taken action to ensure workers received one day off in seven and that working hours did not exceed this.

First Solar CEO said the decision to disclose the findings was in line with the company's commitments to transparency and raise awareness of labour exploitation risk in its and the industry's supply chain. The company is reportedly engaging with the four involved subcontractors to change their practices.

At the end of August, the Malaysian Government announced an investigation into the four contractors. A spokesperson confirmed First Solar had made sure the migrant workers received their salaries and had their passports returned to them.