“We’re sorry”: The Sunday Mirror tells Dyson manufacturer, ATA IMS

UK-BASED newspaper, The Sunday Mirror has issued a public apology over its claims of exploitation at a facility handled by Malaysian firm ATA IMS Bhd which manufactures Dyson and other goods.

“We accept that the photograph accompanying the article did not show accommodation for any Dyson-assigned workers and we apologise for its inclusion.

“We also accept that Dyson’s third-party suppliers are regularly and thoroughly audited by both Dyson and independent, internationally recognised auditing companies, and that Dyson states that the allegations do not relate to their products manufactured by ATA Industrial,” it said, in a publication on July 25.

The daily added that it would like to make it clear that the article published was not suggesting Dyson knew or was complicit in the alleged poor treatment of ATA IMS’ workers.

“We apologise if any readers understood it in this manner and happy to set the record straight,” it stated.

In an article on June 20, The Sunday Mirror alleged that migrant workers at an electronics factory, which was said to be producing parts for Dyson vacuum cleaner, were being exploited.

It claimed that foreign workers at the Johor Bahru-based ATA IMS were living in squalid condition and forced to work more than the mandated hours by law. – Aug 3, 2021.

Migrant activist maintains systemic exploitation claims 

In response, migrant workers’ specialist Andy Hall told FocusM that he stands by his investigation report that there were massive irregularities in the company’s treatment of its migrant workforce.

“I stand by my probe and well supported claims made publicly that there are, according to those who work at ATA and whom me and my team have engaged intensively, systemic forced labour indicators that are present ATA company.”

Andy Hall

He added that the company was plagued with multiple abuse  issues such as extensive overtime up to 185 hours per month, the presence of many irregular workers without access to their personal documentation, high risk debt bondage from exorbitant recruitment fee and regularisation costs, poor quality accommodation and a hostile living and working environment.

“Workers report they are scared to speak up, and the presence of multiple irregular agencies and brokers involved in unlawful migrant worker management and regularisation are indicators of systemic forced labour that are present at ATA company,” Hall alleged.

He stated: “We have referred this case involving both Dyson and ATA as one of alleged forced labour to both US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and other related law enforcement authorities, including Department of Labour of Peninsula Malaysia (JTKSM) and Dyson.” – Aug 3, 2021.

Subscribe and get top news delivered to your Inbox everyday for FREE