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FMT 20th Sept 2025: Panasonic, rights group reach historic settlement over 250 ‘unpaid’ Bangladeshi former Kawaguchi workers in Malaysia

FMT 20th Sept 2025: Panasonic, rights group reach historic settlement over 250 ‘unpaid’ Bangladeshi former Kawaguchi workers in Malaysia Panasonic,

September 20, 2025 No Comments

Malaysia

ABC News: 11th Sept 2025: Australian glove-maker Ansell accused of exploiting workers at Malaysian factory of supplier, MediCeram

BC News: 11th Sept 2025: Australian glove-maker Ansell accused of exploiting workers at Malaysian factory of supplier, MediCeram Original Source:

September 11, 2025 No Comments

Qatar

23 Aug 2025: Trouw – Activist Andy Hall arrested three years after the World Cup in Qatar (Dutch & English version below)

23 Aug. 2025: Trouw – Activist Andy Hall drie jaar na het WK in Qatar gearresteerd (Dutch Version) Original Source:

August 30, 2025 No Comments

Human Rights

Major Step Forward: UK Foreign Secretary Urged to Act on Andy Hall’s Conviction

Major Step Forward: Foreign Secretary Urged to Act on Andy Hall’s Conviction Following concerns over Andy Hall’s Conviction in Qatar,

August 22, 2025 No Comments

Malaysia

Opinion Piece 12th August 2025: As Anwar meets Yunus, Corrupted Bangladesh Malaysia Recruitment Corridor Needs Reform

Opinion Piece 12th August 2025: As Anwar meets Yunus, Corrupted Bangladesh Malaysia Recruitment Corridor Needs Reform Andy Hall, independent migrant

August 12, 2025 No Comments

Human Rights

ITV 11th August 2025: A human rights activist is trying to clear his name after being briefly detained in Qatar last month (Andy Hall Qatar Case)

ITV News 11th August 2025: A human rights activist is trying to clear his name after being briefly detained in

August 11, 2025 No Comments

Bangladesh

Malaysiakini 31 July 2025 – ‘Source: Bangladesh to stop probing migrant workers exploitation syndicate’

Malaysiakini 31 July 2025 – ‘Source: Bangladesh to stop probing migrant workers’ exploitation syndicate’ Sourced from: Malaysiakini – by B

July 31, 2025 No Comments

Heartfelt Support from Migrant Communities for Andy Hall

Human Rights

Update: Heartfelt Support from Migrant Worker Communities for Andy Hall

Heartfelt Support from Migrant Worker Communities for Andy Hall We’re deeply moved to see this outpouring of solidarity from the

July 24, 2025 No Comments

Malaysia

FMT 24th July 2025: Kawaguchi company facing criminal charges in Malaysia over unpaid Bangladeshi worker wages in high profile Japanese consumer goods modern slavery case, says source

FMT 24th July 2025: Kawaguchi company facing criminal charges in Malaysia over unpaid Bangladeshi worker wages in high profile Japanese

July 24, 2025 No Comments

Malaysia

FMT 17th July 2025: Kawaguchi in Malaysia served a letter of demand over close to RM3mil in unpaid wages to modern slavery victims

FMT 17th July 2025: Kawaguchi in Malaysia served a letter of demand over close to RM3mil in unpaid wages to

July 18, 2025 No Comments

For Immediate Release 17th July 2025: Justice Abroad is representing Labour Rights Activist Andy Hall to Overturn Unjust In Absentia Conviction in Qatar

Human Rights

For Immediate Release 17th July 2025: Justice Abroad is representing Labour Rights Activist Andy Hall to Overturn Unjust In Absentia Conviction in Qatar

For Immediate Release 17th July 2025: Justice Abroad is representing Labour Rights Activist Andy Hall to Overturn Unjust In Absentia

July 17, 2025 No Comments

Fundraise for Andy Hall to Overturn Unjust Conviction for Whistleblowing: Qatar

Human Rights

Fundraise for Andy Hall to Overturn Unjust Conviction for Whistleblowing: Qatar

British migrant rights activist Andy Hall was unjustly sentenced to prison in absentia in Qatar for whistleblowing on modern slavery

July 7, 2025 No Comments

Fundraise for Andy Hall to Overturn Unjust Conviction for Whistleblowing: Qatar

Why Human Rights Matter to Business?

Risky Business with Darian McBain: Asia

15th January 2024

Why Human Rights Matter to Business with Darian McBain – Interview with Andy Hall – Migrant Worker Rights Specialist

Asian business is changing. Customer demands, government regulations, stakeholder expectations, they are all evolving under the pressure of the environmental crisis. And even the most robust business models are starting to show cracks. But it’s through those cracks that opportunities arrive.

Do you know how to navigate this new normal?

Andy Hall is a human rights defender, a researcher/investigator and activist, and an independent specialist on migrant worker rights.

In this episode of Risky Business, Andy talks about how he uncovered – and helped to tackle – the problem of labour rights abuses in Malaysia’s latex glove industry.

Click HERE to listen

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Migrant worker rights specialist (andy@andyjhall.org) living in Nepal, focused on migration in/from Asia, exploring Himalayas, investigating the unreported

Andy Hall @atomicalandy ·

20 Sep

*FMT 20th Sept 2025: Panasonic, rights group reach historic settlement over 250 ‘unpaid’ Bangladeshi former Kawaguchi workers in Malaysia*

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Andy Hall @atomicalandy ·

17 Sep

Desmond Jeffrey Gordan Hall (Dad) Desmond Hall

Husband, Father and Grandfather

04.01.1948 to 16.09.2025

Dad, may you rest in eternal peace.

We will all miss you very much 😘

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Andy Hall @atomicalandy ·

12 Sep

Join MWN, migrant workers, to protect your rights and have a sense of community and solidarity

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Andy Hall @atomicalandy ·

11 Sep

*ABC News 11th Sept 2025: Australian glove-maker Ansell accused of exploiting workers at Malaysian factory of supplier, MediCeram*

Background: https://andyjhall.org/2025/09/11/abc-news-11th-sept-2025-australian-glove-maker-ansell-accused-of-exploiting-workers-at-malaysian-factory-of-supplier-mediceram/

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Bhadra Sharma @bhadrarukum ·

10 Sep

Protesters set fire to government buildings and the homes of politicians as unrest over corruption, censorship and economic issues stretched into a second day.

Here comes @nytimes report w/@travelli and @thomasfullerNYT

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Andy Hall

Andy Hall is a British human rights defender and a migrant worker specialist working in Asia, Middle East and the Gulf

Andy Hall

3 days ago

*FMT 20th Sept 2025: Panasonic, rights group reach historic settlement over 250 ‘unpaid’ Bangladeshi former Kawaguchi workers in Malaysia* ... See MoreSee Less

FMT 20th Sept 2025: Panasonic, rights group reach historic settlement over 250 ‘unpaid’ Bangladeshi former Kawaguchi workers in Malaysia - Andy Hall

andyjhall.org

FMT 20th Sept 2025: Panasonic, rights group reach historic settlement over 250 ‘unpaid’ Bangladeshi former Kawaguchi workers in Malaysia Panasonic, [...]

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Andy Hall

6 days ago

Desmond Jeffrey Gordan Hall (Dad)Husband, Father and Grandfather 04.01.1948 to 16.09.2025Dad, may you rest in eternal peace. We will all miss you very much 😘 ... See MoreSee Less

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Andy Hall

2 weeks ago

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Andy Hall

2 weeks ago

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Andy Hall

2 weeks ago

*ABC News 11th Sept 2025: Australian glove-maker Ansell accused of exploiting workers at Malaysian factory of supplier, MediCeram* www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-11/ansell-gloves-factory-workers-alleged-exploitation-malaysia/105730848Background: andyjhall.org/2025/09/11/abc-news-11th-sept-2025-australian-glove-maker-ansell-accused-of-exploit...Australian glove-maker Ansell accused of exploiting workers at Malaysian factory of supplier, MediCeramBy investigative reporter Ben ButlerTopic: Human RightsAbout 10 men photographed holding signs protesting their work conditionsWorkers from MediCeram's Malaysian factory protest against their conditions. (Supplied)In short:A complaint lodged at the federal Treasury claims 220 Bangladeshi workers at a Malaysian factory where moulds for Ansell gloves are made have suffered serious human rights abuses. Ansell, headquartered in Melbourne, says it has looked into the allegations and identified breaches of international labour standards.However, the Malaysian company's chairman denies the allegations.Australian glove-maker Ansell is being accused of using an overseas supplier that has allegedly exploited more than 200 factory workers — including through forced labour — in a complaint lodged with the federal government.The Melbourne-based company confirmed to the ABC that it has investigated allegations involving workers at the Malaysian factory, among others, and "identified a number of issues that did not meet international labour standards".It is now the subject of a complaint lodged with the federal Treasury — where disputes over minimum labour standards at multinational companies are filed — by international labour activist Andy Hall.According to the complaint, more than 220 Bangladeshi workers at MediCeram, which makes moulds for Ansell's gloves, "have suffered serious abuses of fundamental worker and human rights".a man in front of a steel wallAnsell is a Melbourne-based company that makes gloves as well as other personal protection equipment for the healthcare industry. (ABC News: John Gunn)The alleged abuses include wage theft, forced labour and debt bondage, as well as the deportation of workers who complained about their treatment.MediCeram vehemently denies any abuse of its workers.In his complaint, Mr Hall said the workers paid fees of about $US5,200 each to recruiters in Bangladesh, leaving them in debt bondage.Many took industrial action in March over allegations of several months of unpaid wages and overtime, according to the complaint.Mr Hall also alleged that some workers had been deprived of their passports for periods of time and their work visas had not been renewed.He alleged that about 33 workers who complained to management were sacked and deported."Ansell's due diligence measures failed to prevent the forced labour and retribution by termination in this instance," Mr Hall said in the complaint.One Bangladeshi employee, speaking anonymously to the ABC over concerns about his employment, said six workers were housed in each room at MediCeram's accommodation.Chairman of Malaysian company denies allegationsMr Hall filed the complaint with Treasury because it runs the Australian National Contact Point for Responsible Business Conduct (AusNCP) — the designated "national contact point" for dealing with such disputes under an arrangement set up by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.It is the second time labour activists have used the mechanism to allege breaches of workers' rights at suppliers to Ansell.In 2017, Treasury settled a dispute between the company and the union IndustriALL. In that matter, it was alleged that workers at Ansell factories in Sri Lanka and Malaysia were coerced into agreeing to unsafe working conditions and suffered significant health issues from workplace contamination. Ansell denied the allegations.Ansell logoAnsell has previously denied allegations of unsafe working conditions at its factories. (Facebook: Ansell)MediCeram supplies moulds of hands that are dipped into latex or plastic to make gloves for Ansell. The Malaysian company's chairman, Arumugam Suppiah, denied all of Mr Hall's allegations."This is unfair, and intimidation by the so-called labour activist," he told the ABC."Ansell is a respectable company and MediCeram has complied with all local rules."All the allegations can be refuted with supporting documents."He said Ansell continued to support MediCeram, but had not bought anything from the company for three months.Ansell glove adOn their corporate Facebook page, Ansell advertises the size of their glove business. (Facebook: Ansell)An Ansell spokesperson said the company "pre-ordered, expedited payment for and took advance delivery of over one year's worth of ceramic formers to support the supplier's cash flow" so that MediCeram could fund repayments to workers and a remediation package.The spokesperson confirmed Ansell investigated MediCeram and other ceramic-former suppliers earlier this year and "identified a number of issues that did not meet international labour standards or comply with our supplier code of conduct"."Ansell has deliberately chosen not to walk away from the suppliers, including the supplier that is the subject of the AusNCP complaint," the spokesperson said."We continue to engage with them closely to encourage their mitigation and remediation of the issues identified."The spokesperson said they would deal with the complaints process "in good faith".Mr Hall said that while MediCeram had agreed to repay the recruitment fees in instalments, the eight months it had to pay was "too lengthy"."Many workers have been excluded from the remediation package unfairly and irrationally by MediCeram, including repatriated and departed workers," he said in the complaint.He also accused Ansell of irresponsibly disengaging from MediCeram, contrary to OECD guidelines that state multinationals should work to fix problems at their suppliers rather than walking away.Firm's duty to prevent modern slavery, legal expert saysHuman Rights Law Centre associate legal director Freya Dinshaw, who sits on a board advising the government about such disputes, said the mechanism worked well when companies were willing to negotiate with complainants."It's not a court, so ultimately they're not binding, and that's why Australia also needs to ensure that there are binding mechanisms to ensure that our companies do the right thing no matter where in the world they operate," she said.Ms Dinshaw said current Australian laws only require companies to report on the risks of modern slavery in their supply chain.A woman in corporate attire photographed in an officeFreya Dinshaw says Australian-based companies should be legally bound to avoid modern slavery no matter where they operate. (Supplied)"Australian companies should have a duty to prevent modern slavery so that they're legally required to investigate and address forced labour in their supply chains and face hard consequences where they don't," she said.She said the importation of slave-made goods should also be banned.The Albanese government committed to toughening Australian laws late last year but has not yet introduced legislation."They haven't as yet committed to significantly strengthen the act by requiring companies to take action to address risks and as long as the act's requirements are met by a tick box approach to addressing modern slavery, there are going to be companies that turn a blind eye to worker exploitation, even though they technically comply with the reporting requirements," Ms Dinshaw said.www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-11/ansell-gloves-factory-workers-alleged-exploitation-malaysia/105730848 ... See MoreSee Less

Australian glove-maker Ansell accused of exploiting workers

www.abc.net.au

Melbourne-based company Ansell has confirmed it investigated allegations at a Malaysian factory and identified issues that do not meet labour standards.

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Latest Blog Posts

FMT 20th Sept 2025: Panasonic, rights group reach historic settlement over 250 ‘unpaid’ Bangladeshi former Kawaguchi workers in Malaysia

ABC News: 11th Sept 2025: Australian glove-maker Ansell accused of exploiting workers at Malaysian factory of supplier, MediCeram

23 Aug 2025: Trouw – Activist Andy Hall arrested three years after the World Cup in Qatar (Dutch & English version below)

Major Step Forward: UK Foreign Secretary Urged to Act on Andy Hall’s Conviction

Opinion Piece 12th August 2025: As Anwar meets Yunus, Corrupted Bangladesh Malaysia Recruitment Corridor Needs Reform

ITV 11th August 2025: A human rights activist is trying to clear his name after being briefly detained in Qatar last month (Andy Hall Qatar Case)

Malaysiakini 31 July 2025 – ‘Source: Bangladesh to stop probing migrant workers exploitation syndicate’

Update: Heartfelt Support from Migrant Worker Communities for Andy Hall

FMT 24th July 2025: Kawaguchi company facing criminal charges in Malaysia over unpaid Bangladeshi worker wages in high profile Japanese consumer goods modern slavery case, says source

FMT 17th July 2025: Kawaguchi in Malaysia served a letter of demand over close to RM3mil in unpaid wages to modern slavery victims

For Immediate Release 17th July 2025: Justice Abroad is representing Labour Rights Activist Andy Hall to Overturn Unjust In Absentia Conviction in Qatar

Fundraise for Andy Hall to Overturn Unjust Conviction for Whistleblowing: Qatar

Fundraise for Andy Hall to Overturn Unjust Conviction for Whistleblowing: Qatar

Why Human Rights Matter to Business?

Andy Hall’s Twitter

Andy Hall

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A Discussion with Andy Hall About his Work and Life - February 2022

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