A. Ananthalakshmi

KUALA LUMPUR – Ten Dyson workers, formerly from Malaysian firm ATA IMS (the largest part supplier), are suing the appliance manufacturer for compensation due to poor working conditions and living conditions. A representative of them stated Friday.

According to British law firm Leigh Day, Dyson was “unjustly enriched due to the illegal, exploitative and hazardous conditions at the factory”.

Dyson did not comment on Leigh Day’s claims, but stated that it took its responsibility towards third-party workers “extremely seriously”, although it declined to address the claim for compensation.

ATA (the manufacturer of parts for Dyson vacuum cleaners/air purifiers) did not immediately respond to the claim.

Dyson stated in November that it would end relations with ATA and terminate its contract within six month. This was after an independent audit and whistleblower’s accusations of labour practices. Dyson has yet to disclose its findings.

Leigh Day has sent a “letter before action” to Singapore-headquartered Dyson on behalf of the workers and named four company units as the defendants in the claim, it said. It is an indication that legal proceedings might be started.

Dyson has been asked to compensate the workers in a letter sent by Leigh Day, a law firm, before the action. Leigh Day stated in the statement that if a settlement is not reached, the case would be taken to the High Court.

According to Oliver Holland (a partner at Leigh Day), the letter was sent on December 10th.

Holland indicated that Leigh Day might initiate court proceedings before the High Court of Justice of England or Wales in March if Dyson fails to settle.

Reuters published reports on Dec. 5, 25 and 5 that ATA’s majority migrant workforce worked overtime over Malaysia’s monthly limit of 104 hours per month and on Sundays. Reuters reported Dec 5, citing 11 employees that ATA had instructed staff to conceal their true living and working conditions before labour inspections.

ATA admitted publicly that there were some violations and made some changes.

Dyson, in a statement sent to Reuters Friday, stated that it performs regular audits to monitor and improve its supply chain. On Friday Dyson also indicated that it ended its contract with ATA following a failure to act on a recent audit.

It stated that ATA had been audited six more times in the period 2019-2021.

According to it, “During that period, we demanded and obtained many improvements for ATA staff, including ensuring more than 1,250 ATA worker had their recruitment fees reimbursed as a matter of principle.”

“In October 2021 we received the final inspection results. At that time, it was clear to us that ATA management wasn’t responding quickly or aggressively to Dyson’s requests for improvement. With six months notice we ended our relationship and were able to withdraw in an orderly manner.