Main page - Andy Hall

Latest Blog Posts

Malaysia

FMT 7th Jan 2025: Kawaguchi foreign workers in Malaysia preparing to sue 2 prominent Japanese companies, Sony and Panasonic, in U.S. courts

FMT 7th Jan 2025: Kawaguchi foreign workers in Malaysia preparing to sue 2 prominent Japanese companies, Sony and Panasonic, in

January 8, 2025 No Comments

Malaysia

31st Dec 2024: FMT – Kawaguchi workers ‘forced’ to relocate, claims activist (Sony, Panasonic and Daikin Malaysian supplier case)

31st Dec 2024: FMT – Kawaguchi workers ‘forced’ to relocate, claims activist (Sony, Panasonic and Daikin Malaysian supplier case) PETALING

December 31, 2024 No Comments

Malaysia

26th December 2024: FMT – Penniless and unemployed, Kawaguchi’s foreign workers in Malaysia hoping to secure jobs before Ramadan (Sony, Panasonic & Daikin supplier case)

26th December 2024: FMT – Penniless and unemployed, Kawaguchi’s foreign workers in Malaysia hoping to secure jobs before Ramadan (Sony,

December 26, 2024 No Comments

Malaysia

20th December 2024: FMT – Air-con giant Daikin comes to rescue of unpaid modern slavery victims and foreign Kawaguchi workers (Kawaguchi supplies Sony, Panasonic and Daikin – Daikin smallest buyer)

20th December 2024: FMT – Air-con giant Daikin comes to rescue of unpaid modern slavery victims and foreign Kawaguchi workers

December 20, 2024 No Comments

Malaysia

20th December 2024: “Seven months of unpaid wages: ‘When will I be free?'” Malaysia: Report on Kawaguchi (Sony, Panasonic, Daikin and Hisense/Sanden supplier) released by PARC

20th December 2024: “Seven months of unpaid wages: ‘When will I be free?’” Malaysia: Report on Kawaguchi (Sony, Panasonic, Daikin

December 20, 2024 No Comments

Malaysia

19th December 2024: Malaysian Labour Dept to assist Kawaguchi workers securing new jobs, firm agrees to settle over RM3 million backdated pay in agreement described as ‘offensive,’ global buyers Sony, Panasonic and Daikin remain silent

19th December 2024 Malay Mail: Malaysian Labour Dept to assist Kawaguchi workers securing new jobs, firm agrees to settle over

December 19, 2024 No Comments

Malaysia

18th Dec 2024: FMT – Kawaguchi to pay foreign workers’ owed salary in Malaysia after negotiations – Major Japanese conglomerates Sony, Panasonic and Daikin remain silent after unethical cut and run

18th Dec 2024: FMT – Kawaguchi to pay foreign workers’ owed salary in Malaysia after negotiations – Major Japanese conglomerates

December 18, 2024 No Comments

Bangladesh

18th Dec 2024: Malaysiakini – Almost 300 Kawaguchi Bangladeshi workers left jobless when Sony, Panasonic and Daikin cut and run from modern slavery abuses in Malaysian factory to enrol in employer exchange programme

18th Dec 2024: Malaysiakini – Almost 300 Kawaguchi Bangladeshi workers left jobless when Sony, Panasonic and Daikin cut and run

December 18, 2024 No Comments

Bangladesh

17th Dec 2024: FMT Malaysian Labour dept promises justice for Kawaguchi Manufacturing modern slavery victims from Bangladesh on strike, key customers were Sony, Panasonic and Daikin

17th Dec 2024: FMT Malaysian Labour dept promises justice for Kawaguchi Manufacturing modern slavery victims from Bangladesh on strike, Kawaguchi

December 17, 2024 No Comments

Malaysia

15th Dec 2024: FMT – Ex-MP calls for ministry action after salary protest at Malaysia’s Kawaguchi plastics company supplying Japanese conglomerates Sony, Panasonic and Daikin

15th Dec 2024: FMT – Ex-MP calls for ministry action after salary protest at Malaysia’s Kawaguchi plastics company supplying Japanese

December 15, 2024 No Comments

Malaysia

15th Dec 2024: ABC – Sony, Panasonic ‘cut and run’ from Malaysian supplier Kawaguchi accused of wage theft

15th Dec 2024: ABC – Sony, Panasonic ‘cut and run’ from Malaysian supplier Kawaguchi accused of wage theft About 200

December 15, 2024 No Comments

A group of workers at Kawaguchi plastics manufacturing company in Klang have continued to protest over unpaid wages after the police earlier said a gathering had been dispersed.

Malaysia

14th Dec 2024: FMT – Protest and alleged hostage taking at Kawaguchi plastics company in Malaysia by Bangladeshi migrant worker modern slavery victims over salary arrears – key Japanese buyers Sony, Panasonic and Daikin respond to BHRRC

14th Dec 2024: FMT – Protest and alleged hostage taking at Kawaguchi plastics company in Malaysia by Bangladeshi migrant worker

December 13, 2024 No Comments

Nepalese workers Scan and Call Andy for Action - Google Doc Form - Click HERE

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

Andy Hall Follow

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

Andy Hall @atomicalandy ·

16 Jan

ABC Instagram: Over 200 migrants at plastics factory in Malaysia that supplies to Sony/Panasonic haven't been paid for 6mnths. Forced overtime, withheld passports, dirty living conditions other abuses raised to the Japanese electronics giants see https://www.instagram.com/reel/DD6WXQjJxj5/?igsh=amVwdDFmOTU4NWk5

Reply on Twitter 1879857108004544812 Retweet on Twitter 1879857108004544812 Like on Twitter 1879857108004544812 1 Twitter 1879857108004544812

Andy Hall @atomicalandy ·

8 Jan

*FMT 7th Jan 2025: Kawaguchi foreign workers in Malaysia preparing to sue 2 prominent Japanese companies, Sony and Panasonic, in U.S. courts*

Reply on Twitter 1876941704969752659 Retweet on Twitter 1876941704969752659 Like on Twitter 1876941704969752659 1 Twitter 1876941704969752659

Andy Hall @atomicalandy ·

8 Jan

*FMT 7th Jan 2025: Kawaguchi foreign workers in Malaysia preparing to sue 2 prominent Japanese companies, Sony and Panasonic, in U.S. courts*

Reply on Twitter 1876803551390847236 Retweet on Twitter 1876803551390847236 2 Like on Twitter 1876803551390847236 3 Twitter 1876803551390847236

Andy Hall @atomicalandy ·

31 Dec

*FMT 31st Dec 2024: Kawaguchi workers ‘forced’ to relocate, claims activist (Sony, Panasonic and Daikin Malaysian supplier case)*

Reply on Twitter 1874058228239393151 Retweet on Twitter 1874058228239393151 Like on Twitter 1874058228239393151 1 Twitter 1874058228239393151

Andy Hall @atomicalandy ·

26 Dec

*FMT 26th Dec 2024: Penniless and unemployed, Kawaguchi’s foreign workers in Malaysia hoping to secure jobs before Ramadan (Sony, Panasonic & Daikin supplier case)*

Reply on Twitter 1872099552897151256 Retweet on Twitter 1872099552897151256 Like on Twitter 1872099552897151256 1 Twitter 1872099552897151256

1,179

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 updated their status.

5 days ago

This content isn't available right now

When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.

View on Facebook

Andy Hall updated their status.

5 days ago

This content isn't available right now

When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.

View on Facebook

Andy Hall

2 months ago

*Nikkei 22nd Nov 2024: Kawaguchi Malaysian Case - Daikin, Panasonic and Sony - No trust in "zero human rights violations"* (full article sorry before sent only half of article accidentally)NGOs and investors who keep a close eye on human rights violations have begun to target Japanese companies. As the supply chain expands and risks increase, it is dangerous to be too obsessed with "zero human rights violations."— In September 2024, a case of suspected human rights violations of migrant workers occurred at a Malaysian plastic product manufacturer. The NGO Business and Human Rights Resource Center contacted Sony, Daikin Industries, and Panasonic, which were thought to have transactions with the company, and each company responded.Daikin Industries consulted with the company and received a written promise to pay wages as planned. In response to an interview with this magazine, they said, "In light of this case, we will improve our human rights due diligence process and work sincerely to implement PDCA (plan-do-check-act) so that human rights are respected. As the Daikin Group, we will share these corrective improvement plans within the group as one example and proceed with company-wide deployment."Sony has requested that the company take corrective measures, including paying fair wages and managing working hours, as the company violated the code of conduct that Sony requires its suppliers to follow. "We will continue to work with the relevant authorities to monitor the progress of the company's corrective measures. We will also consider conducting additional audits as appropriate," said Sony.Number of reports from Japan and overseas has more than doubledNot only in this case, but there are more and more cases of companies being accused of human rights violations. Previously, the focus was on global companies in the US and Europe, but "recently, the focus has been on Japanese companies as well," said Hidemi Tomita, CEO of LRQA Sustainability. For example, the number of reports to Japanese companies received by the complaint handling desk operated by the Japan Association for Business and Human Rights Dialogue and Relief (JaCER), a general incorporated association, has been increasing. As of October 2024, the number had more than doubled compared to 2023. Many of the reports are related to forced labor, harassment, and conflict issues, and half of them occur overseas.The report was compiled based on reports received at the complaint handling desk operated by the Japan Association for Business and Human Rights Dialogue and Relief (JaCER), a general incorporated association (as of October 16, 2024). In accordance with JaCER's organization, some reports to the same company are grouped together. Source: Created based on materials from the Japan Association for Business and Human Rights Dialogue and Relief[Click on the image to enlarge]Attorney Hideaki Umezu, head of the New York office of Mori Hamada & Matsumoto, who specializes in business and human rights, points out that "Even companies that only do business in Japan have human rights issues such as foreign workers, gender, hate, and harassment, and it is not surprising that they are pointed out at any time. Even if they receive criticism from investors, NGOs, etc., they should not ignore it, but rather have a proper dialogue to hear what the problem is and fix it."Yukawa Yusuke, a lawyer and representative of the Yangon office of Nishimura & Asahi Foreign Law Joint Venture Partners, said, "A major challenge from now will be to establish a policy of respecting human rights within the company and create a system by providing people and money, such as placing personnel who have a proper understanding of human rights in each department."(Graphic tables) The report was compiled based on reports received at the complaint handling desk operated by the Japan Association for Business and Human Rights Dialogue and Relief (JaCER), a ganeral incorporated association, as of October 16, 2024.In accordance with JaCER's organization, some reports to the same company are grouped togethar.Source: Based on data from ite Business and Ertitlement Dialogue and Reliel AgentyRequirements for being a "chosen company"While companies are busy responding to these "emergencies," human rights regulations are being strengthened around the world. In particular, companies are becoming increasingly wary of the European Union's (EU) Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS-DDD), which came into force in May 2012. This requires EU and foreign companies of a certain size or larger to conduct human rights and environmental due diligence. It is expected that this will have a widespread impact on Japanese companies through their supply chains (see related article on pages 50-53). In fiscal 2011, the parent company of Sweden's IKEA conducted an evaluation to confim the consistency of its human rights measures with new laws and regulations."European companies that are subject to human rights regulations in France and Germany, which were enacted prior to the CSDDD, are accelerating their move to select business partners based on their human rights initiatives. Laws and regulations are having a large impact on whether or not a company will be selected as a business partner." (Attomey Ayumi|Fukuhara of Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu)It is said that Japan has a low awareness of human rights. The Human Rights Working Group's report on its visit to Japan, released in May 2022, pointed out many issues, including less visible human rights issues such as low wages and excessively long working hours in the animation industry.Furthermore, a new issue has recently emerged in which artificial intelligence (Al) is encouraging discrimination and prejudice.Japanese companies have not been sitting idly by either. In fiscal 2011, Panasonic, mentioned at the beginning of this article, carried out an assessment of all manufacturing companies and bases within the group. It also carried out assessments of approximately 12,300 suppliers to evaluate human rights risks. To date, the company has audited 141 companies with the cooperation of third-party organizations. Nevertheless, as human rights violations at business partners have been pointed out, no matter how much measures are strengthened, human rights risks cannot be reduced to zero.Attorney Umezu advises, "It is not realistic to try to cover 100% of the enormous supply chain and grasp the risks in advance. Rather than taking the fact that a human rights issue has been pointed out as a deduction, it is necessary to change one's way of thinking and accept that it is something that should naturally occur."So what should be done to improve the effectiveness of human rights measures? Attorney Yukawa says, "Fulfilling the responsibilities required by international standards such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights should be the baseline for any business." An increasing number of companies are conducting human rights due diligence and establishing grievance mechanisms, but the key is how they do it. From our interviews, we have found four major weaknesses in Japanese companies.The first is the operation of a grievance mechanism. There is no point in setting up a reporting and consultation desk if it is not used. The second is dialogue with stakeholders. This is related to whether or not the company can respond appropriately when it receives criticism from NGOs and other organizations. The third is information disclosure. It is essential to come up with ways to convince investors, NGOs, and others. Finally, employee awareness is also a major issue. Human rights risks lurk in every department, so it is essential to be aware of them in your daily work.How can these weaknesses be overcome?On the next page, we will look at theefforts of leading companies.Nikkei ESG 2024.12 25business.nikkei.com/atcl/gen/19/00683/103100001/For background see *Malay Mail 18th Oct 2024: Sony admits own audit found probable labour code violation by Malaysian contractor Kawaguchi* andyjhall.org/2024/10/18/malay-mail-18th-oct-2024-sony-admits-own-audit-found-probable-labour-cod...And *Malay Mail 19th Sept 2024: Panasonic, Sony and Daikin vows probe into forced-labour claim against Malaysian contractor* andyjhall.org/2024/09/19/malay-mail-19th-sept-2024-panasonic-sony-and-daikin-vows-probe-into-forc...business.nikkei.com/atcl/gen/19/00683/103100001/ ... See MoreSee Less

ソニー・ダイキン・パナソニックに追及の目　供給網の人権リスク拡大

business.nikkei.com

人権侵害に目を光らせるNGOや投資家が日本企業も狙い始めた。供給網の拡大でリスクが増す中、「人権侵害ゼロ」に捉われ過ぎるのは危険だ。

View on Facebook

Andy Hall

2 months ago

Important article by PSM/Rani Rasiah *Extradition call – Justice in sight for migrant worker recruitment fraud victims?* thinkleft.net/2024/11/11/extradition-call-justice-in-sight-for-migrant-worker-recruitment-fraud-v...For more background on this topic also see my recent blog post andyjhall.org/2024/11/06/bloomberg-5th-nov-2024-exclusive-by-anders-melin-politics-bangladesh-ask... ... See MoreSee Less

Extradition call - Justice in sight for migrant worker recruitment fraud victims? - Think Left

thinkleft.net

By Rani Rasiah. 400,000 Bangladeshis trafficked into Malaysia on the promise of non-existent jobs based on fake quotas for workers for fictitious companies.

View on Facebook

Andy Hall

2 months ago

Bloomberg 5th Nov 2024 Exclusive by Anders Melin - Politics: Bangladesh Asks Malaysia to Arrest Businessmen in Migrant Trafficking Case (includes responses) ... See MoreSee Less

Bloomberg 5th Nov 2024 Exclusive by Anders Melin - Politics: Bangladesh Asks Malaysia to Arrest Businessmen in Migrant Trafficking Case (includes responses) - Andy Hall

andyjhall.org

Bloomberg 5th Nov 2024 Exclusive by Anders Melin – Politics: Bangladesh Asks Malaysia to Arrest Businessmen in Migrant Trafficking Case [...]

View on Facebook

Latest Blog Posts

FMT 7th Jan 2025: Kawaguchi foreign workers in Malaysia preparing to sue 2 prominent Japanese companies, Sony and Panasonic, in U.S. courts

31st Dec 2024: FMT – Kawaguchi workers ‘forced’ to relocate, claims activist (Sony, Panasonic and Daikin Malaysian supplier case)

26th December 2024: FMT – Penniless and unemployed, Kawaguchi’s foreign workers in Malaysia hoping to secure jobs before Ramadan (Sony, Panasonic & Daikin supplier case)

20th December 2024: FMT – Air-con giant Daikin comes to rescue of unpaid modern slavery victims and foreign Kawaguchi workers (Kawaguchi supplies Sony, Panasonic and Daikin – Daikin smallest buyer)

20th December 2024: “Seven months of unpaid wages: ‘When will I be free?'” Malaysia: Report on Kawaguchi (Sony, Panasonic, Daikin and Hisense/Sanden supplier) released by PARC

19th December 2024: Malaysian Labour Dept to assist Kawaguchi workers securing new jobs, firm agrees to settle over RM3 million backdated pay in agreement described as ‘offensive,’ global buyers Sony, Panasonic and Daikin remain silent

18th Dec 2024: FMT – Kawaguchi to pay foreign workers’ owed salary in Malaysia after negotiations – Major Japanese conglomerates Sony, Panasonic and Daikin remain silent after unethical cut and run

18th Dec 2024: Malaysiakini – Almost 300 Kawaguchi Bangladeshi workers left jobless when Sony, Panasonic and Daikin cut and run from modern slavery abuses in Malaysian factory to enrol in employer exchange programme

17th Dec 2024: FMT Malaysian Labour dept promises justice for Kawaguchi Manufacturing modern slavery victims from Bangladesh on strike, key customers were Sony, Panasonic and Daikin

15th Dec 2024: FMT – Ex-MP calls for ministry action after salary protest at Malaysia’s Kawaguchi plastics company supplying Japanese conglomerates Sony, Panasonic and Daikin

15th Dec 2024: ABC – Sony, Panasonic ‘cut and run’ from Malaysian supplier Kawaguchi accused of wage theft

14th Dec 2024: FMT – Protest and alleged hostage taking at Kawaguchi plastics company in Malaysia by Bangladeshi migrant worker modern slavery victims over salary arrears – key Japanese buyers Sony, Panasonic and Daikin respond to BHRRC

Nepalese workers Scan and Call Andy for Action - Google Doc Form - Click HERE

Why Human Rights Matter to Business?

Andy Hall

Have a tip off about migrant forced labour in a global supply chain? Want to chat? Any feedback? Don't hesitate to contact me here!

Follow my journey on the social links below

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

Please support our work via Paypal and help in protecting migrant workers rights

Andy Hall's Work in Action