KUALA LUMPUR – Dyson has dropped its defamation suit against two British media houses over a report claiming exploitative labour at a factory in Malaysia where parts for its household appliance products are made.
UK broadcaster Channel 4 and the London-based ITN both confirmed yesterday they were freed of the suit after spending two years fighting Dyson in the UK high court to defend their reporting.
“Despite prolonged and costly court proceedings, Channel 4 News was determined to defend its fair, accurate, and duly impartial reporting. The freedom to report without fear or favour is essential to both the industry and a thriving democracy.
“Today’s outcome underscores the vital role of robust, independent investigative reporting that is clearly in the public interest and sets an important precedent for the future of investigative journalism in the UK,” Channel 4 and ITN said.
The news report aired in February 2022 showed how a group of migrant workers had taken legal action against Dyson over allegedly appalling conditions at the Malaysia-based factory where they worked.
The plaintiffs were from labour source countries that included Nepal and Bangladesh, and had filed their suit against Dyson in the UK over conditions at the factory operated by Dyson’s then-supplier, ATA IMS Bhd.
Channel 4 and ITN reported that concerns about forced labour conditions at ATA had been raised to Dyson as far back as 2019, but Dyson categorically denied them until September 2021 when an extensive audit found “serious abuses”. However, supplier ATA denied the allegations.
In December 2021, Reuters reported that Malaysia’s Labour Department had charged ATA IMS following complaints received about alleged forced labour conditions. The charges filed were over violations of minimum standards for worker accommodation.
Six months before the charging, Dyson announced it was terminating its contract with ATA IMS, effective June 2022.
Meanwhile, the migrant workers’ suit against Dyson in the UK will see the plaintiffs preparing to appeal a decision in favour of Dyson to prevent the English courts from hearing the suit. The workers’ appeal will be heard in November. – August 30, 2024