Main page - Andy Hall

Latest Blog Posts

Malaysia

26th Nov 2024: FMT – Worried Kawaguchi factory workers in Malaysia, producing Sony, Panasonic, Daikin and Sanden products, file a claim over RM800,000 (US$180,000) in wage arrears, deductions

26th Nov 2024: FMT – Worried Kawaguchi factory workers in Malaysia, producing Sony, Panasonic, Daikin, and Sanden products, file a

November 27, 2024 No Comments

Indonesia

13th Nov 2024: Diplomat – Indonesian Workers Say They Faced Modern Slavery in the UK. Who Is Responsible?

13th Nov 2024: Diplomat – Indonesian Workers Say They Faced Modern Slavery in the UK. Who Is Responsible? A post-Brexit

November 14, 2024 No Comments

Bangladesh

5th Nov 2024: Bloomberg – Bangladesh Asks Malaysia to Arrest Businessmen in Migrant Trafficking Case (includes responses)

5th Nov 2024: Bloomberg – Bangladesh Asks Malaysia to Arrest Businessmen in Migrant Trafficking Case Police in Bangladesh have asked

November 6, 2024 No Comments

‘Budi’ is bringing a case against the UK Home Office after leaving Indonesia, claiming his seasonal worker experience made him a victim of human trafficking.

Forced Labour

29th Oct 2024: SCMP – He left Indonesia seeking a better life in the UK. All he found was debt and despair (a great story on our test case against UK seasonal workers scheme)

29th Oct 2024: He left Indonesia seeking a better life in the UK. All he found was debt and despair

October 29, 2024 No Comments

Malaysia

18th Oct 2024: Sony admits own audit found probable labour code violation by Malaysian contractor Kawaguchi

18th Oct 2024: Sony admits own audit found probable labour code violation by Malaysian contractor Kawaguchi KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 18

October 18, 2024 No Comments

Bangladesh

5th Oct 2024: Benar News – Malaysia’s PM Anwar promises Bangladeshi migrant workers will be treated fairly

5th Oct 2024: Benar News – Malaysia’s PM Anwar promises Bangladeshi migrant workers will be treated fairly During Dhaka visit

October 5, 2024 No Comments

Malaysia

26th Sept 2024: Former Malaysian gloves plant workers sue Kimberly-Clark. They allege abuse at company’s supplier Brightway

26th Sept 2024: Former Malaysian gloves plant workers sue Kimberly-Clark. They allege abuse at the company’s supplier Brightway Former employees

September 26, 2024 No Comments

Malaysia

20th Sept 2024: Prothmalo – Aminul and Ruhul Amin involved in alleged migrant worker syndicate money ‘laundering’ to Malaysia

20th Sept 2024: Prothmalo – Aminul and Ruhul Amin involved in alleged migrant worker syndicate money ‘laundering’ to Malaysia Aminul

September 20, 2024 No Comments

Malaysia

19th Sept 2024: Malay Mail- Panasonic, Sony and Daikin vows probe into forced labour claim against Malaysian contractor

19th Sept 2024: Malay Mail- Panasonic, Sony and Daikin vows probe into forced labour claim against Malaysian contractor KUALA LUMPUR,

September 19, 2024 No Comments

Japan

17th Sept 2024: FMT – Japanese electronics giants probe Malaysian supplier Kawaguchi after delayed salary payments

17th Sept 2024: FMT – Japanese electronics giants probe Malaysian supplier Kawaguchi after delayed salary payments However, Klang-based Japanese electronics

September 17, 2024 No Comments

Migrant Workers Rights

12th Sept 2024: FLA – Fifty global brands urge Taiwan to support responsible recruitment of migrant workers

12th Sept 2024: FLA – Fifty global brands urge Taiwan to support responsible recruitment of migrant workers The conditions for

September 13, 2024 No Comments

Number of seasonal workers seeking help after being sacked by UK farms doubles in past year

United Kingdom

8th Sept 2024: The Guardian – Number of seasonal workers seeking help after being sacked by UK farms doubles in the past year

8th Sept 2024: The Guardian Number of seasonal workers seeking help after being sacked by UK farms doubles in the

September 8, 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 ·

27 Nov

27th Nov 2024: Migrant Workers Want Dyson/ATA Malaysian Forced Labor Claim Heard In UK

Full story https://www.facebook.com/share/1e9he2tJtW/?mibextid=WC7FNe

Reply on Twitter 1861685819049681145 Retweet on Twitter 1861685819049681145 Like on Twitter 1861685819049681145 1 Twitter 1861685819049681145

Andy Hall @atomicalandy ·

27 Nov

*FMT 26th Nov 2024: Worried Kawaguchi factory workers in Malaysia, producing Sony, Panasonic, Daikin and Sanden products, file claim over RM800,000 (US$180,000) in wage arrears, deductions*

Reply on Twitter 1861588562161942997 Retweet on Twitter 1861588562161942997 2 Like on Twitter 1861588562161942997 2 Twitter 1861588562161942997

Andy Hall @atomicalandy ·

22 Nov

*Nikkei 22nd Nov 2024: Kawaguchi Malaysian Case - Daikin, Panasonic and Sony - No trust in "zero human rights violations"*

https://business.nikkei.com/atcl/gen/19/00683/103100001/

Reply on Twitter 1859819254251651520 Retweet on Twitter 1859819254251651520 Like on Twitter 1859819254251651520 2 Twitter 1859819254251651520

Andy Hall @atomicalandy ·

19 Nov

*An Open Letter To The Members Of The Responsible Business Alliance (RBA)*

Important open letter from Li Qiang and China Labor Watch team to the RBA and its members (https://chinalaborwatch.org/an-open-letter-to-the-members-of-the-responsible-business-alliance/) on the occasion of their annual conference.

Reply on Twitter 1858753232161698174 Retweet on Twitter 1858753232161698174 1 Like on Twitter 1858753232161698174 1 Twitter 1858753232161698174

Andy Hall @atomicalandy ·

14 Nov

*Diplomat 13th Nov 2024: Indonesian Workers Say They Faced Modern Slavery in the UK. Who Is Responsible?*

Reply on Twitter 1856931030130896947 Retweet on Twitter 1856931030130896947 1 Like on Twitter 1856931030130896947 1 Twitter 1856931030130896947

1,178

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

2 weeks 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

3 weeks 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

1 month 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

Andy Hall

1 month ago

THEEDGEtheedgemalaysia.comCEO MORNING BRIEFMalaysia: Bangladesh seeks arrest of Bestinet founder, associate in worker trafficking probe in Interpol notice sent to Malaysian authorities ceomorningbrief.theedgemalaysia.com/2024/0858/ ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook

Andy Hall

1 month ago

*Bloomberg 5th Nov 2024 Exclusive by Anders Melin - Politics: Bangladesh Asks Malaysia to Arrest Businessmen in Migrant Trafficking Case (Click on Link for Full Article)* Police have asked for extradition of Aminul Islam, Ruhul AminThe probe spans alleged money laundering, human traffickingBy Anders Melin5 November 2024 at 17:32 GMT+8Police in Bangladesh have asked the Malaysian government to arrest and extradite two businessmen as part of a probe of alleged money laundering, extortion and trafficking of migrant workers.The men, Aminul Islam and Ruhul Amin, are alleged to have played key roles in a system that “fraudulently extorted money from the victims” and exposed them to “physical and mental torture,” according to a letter dated Oct. 24 that Bangladesh’s branch of Interpol sent to its counterpart in Malaysia.Bloomberg News reviewed a copy of the letter, which doesn’t say whether the men have been charged. Police Inspector Ashiqur Rahman, who is part of Bangladesh’s Interpol branch, confirmed the contents in a telephone interview on Sunday. A senior Bangladeshi government official, who wasn’t authorized to speak publicly about the matter, also confirmed the letter.The South Asian nation’s police asked that Malaysia’s government temporarily halt its use of software provided by Bestinet Sdn., a closely held company that Aminul founded. Malaysian officials have used this software to process and monitor hundreds of thousands of migrant workers from Bangladesh and other countries since at least 2018.Aminul, who’s commonly known as Amin, was born in Bangladesh and gained Malaysian citizenship more than a decade ago. His lawyer said they have not received any information about the letter and categorically denied the allegations raised in it.For full article please click here www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-11-05/bangladesh-asks-malaysia-to-arrest-two-men-in-money-la... ... See MoreSee Less

Bangladesh Asks Malaysia to Arrest Businessmen in Migrant Trafficking Case

www.bloomberg.com

Police in Bangladesh have asked the Malaysian government to arrest and extradite two businessmen as part of a probe of alleged money laundering, extortion and trafficking of migrant workers.

View on Facebook

Latest Blog Posts

26th Nov 2024: FMT – Worried Kawaguchi factory workers in Malaysia, producing Sony, Panasonic, Daikin and Sanden products, file a claim over RM800,000 (US$180,000) in wage arrears, deductions

13th Nov 2024: Diplomat – Indonesian Workers Say They Faced Modern Slavery in the UK. Who Is Responsible?

5th Nov 2024: Bloomberg – Bangladesh Asks Malaysia to Arrest Businessmen in Migrant Trafficking Case (includes responses)

29th Oct 2024: SCMP – He left Indonesia seeking a better life in the UK. All he found was debt and despair (a great story on our test case against UK seasonal workers scheme)

18th Oct 2024: Sony admits own audit found probable labour code violation by Malaysian contractor Kawaguchi

5th Oct 2024: Benar News – Malaysia’s PM Anwar promises Bangladeshi migrant workers will be treated fairly

26th Sept 2024: Former Malaysian gloves plant workers sue Kimberly-Clark. They allege abuse at company’s supplier Brightway

20th Sept 2024: Prothmalo – Aminul and Ruhul Amin involved in alleged migrant worker syndicate money ‘laundering’ to Malaysia

19th Sept 2024: Malay Mail- Panasonic, Sony and Daikin vows probe into forced labour claim against Malaysian contractor

17th Sept 2024: FMT – Japanese electronics giants probe Malaysian supplier Kawaguchi after delayed salary payments

12th Sept 2024: FLA – Fifty global brands urge Taiwan to support responsible recruitment of migrant workers

8th Sept 2024: The Guardian – Number of seasonal workers seeking help after being sacked by UK farms doubles in the past year

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