Weekly Update 18 September
Business & Human Rights Resource Centre
We advance human rights in business. We track over 10,000 companies, and help the vulnerable eradicate abuse.
Somoy News, Free Malaysia Today, Malay Mail
The Selangor Labour Department has initiated an investigation into allegations of forced labour involving over 200 Bangladeshi workers employed by Malaysian plastics company Kawaguchi Manufacturing.?Workers reportedly shared accounts of numerous severe abuses bearing the hallmarks of forced labour, including: wage theft; recruitment fee charging; denial of leave; unsanitary and overcrowded living conditions; threats and intimidation; and passport confiscation. Kawaguchi Manufacturing reportedly supplies parts to electronics giants Panasonic, Sony and Daikin.
Workers allege they did not receive wages for up to 6 months, causing significant financial hardship. Some claim they were forced to work 7 days a week and up to 12 hours a day without overtime pay or holidays. Many were reportedly left undocumented and vulnerable after the company failed to renew their visas. Employees who raised concerns say they faced threats of detention, deportation, or police action. The workers have sought the assistance of the Bangladesh Embassy in Malaysia and await action from both the company and the relevant authorities.??
?? We invited Daikin, Panasonic, and Sony to respond to the allegations. Daikin confirmed it is still purchasing from Kawaguchi Manufacturing and is considering the human rights ramifications of terminating its relationship with the company. Panasonic stated it has an ‘existing business relationship’ with?Kawaguchi Manufacturing, and plans to ‘consider taking necessary measures… including requesting Kawaguchi Manufacturing to take corrective actions safeguarding the interests of the impacted workers.’ Sony pointed to its Supply Chain Code of Conduct and said it would ‘work with the relevant government authorities and organisations to conduct a thorough fact-checking investigation’. Read the full company responses here . We were not able to contact Kawaguchi Manufacturing to invite a response to the allegations.?
FROM US
This year's annual Mary Robinson Speaker Series focused on the responsibilities of corporate actors in conflict – exploring how they can be involved in harm, but also have the opportunity to play a constructive role in these crises. Watch the recording here .
BUSINESS & HUMAN RIGHTS IN FOCUS
ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENDERS AT DEADLY RISK: A new report from the Monitoring of the Andean Amazon Project (MAAP) reveals a surge in killings of environmental defenders in the Peruvian Amazon , largely tied to activities such as mining, logging, and coca cultivation. Between 2010 and 2022, an estimated 29 defenders were killed in the region, with almost half the killings taking place after 2020. This aligns with research released last week by Global Witness, which revealed 196 environmental defenders were murdered in 2023 , with mining identified as the leading industry linked to these deaths. These lethal attacks reportedly take place as part of a broader campaign of intimidation, criminalization, and violence targeting environmental defenders by governments, corporations, and non-state actors. Our own research into attacks on human rights defenders in 2023 found that, of the 630 recorded incidents, 78% were against people taking action to protect the climate, environmental and land rights. These reports underscore the deadly risks faced by environmental defenders like Juan López , who was reportedly killed by gunmen on September 15 . López was a Guapinol River water protector and led the Comité Municipal de Defensa de los Bienes Comunes y Públicos (CMDBCP), an organisation protecting public goods in the region. He opposed mining and thermoelectric projects in the region which reportedly threaten protected areas and local water supplies, and he also spoke out against alleged political corruption in the region.?
BRANDS TAKE A STAND ON LABOUR RIGHTS: 50 global brands – including adidas, Nike, Patagonia and Hugo Boss – are calling on Taiwan to ensure that responsible business practices are consistently and sustainably applied in the recruitment of migrant workers, especially those employed in Taiwan’s textile mills. In a joint letter, the signatories urged the government to: prohibit brokers from charging recruitment fees and associated costs to workers; protect workers’ freedom of association, including migrant workers’ access to unions or independent workers’ associations; protect migrant workers through robust agreements with sending countries; and streamline the application process for migrant workers who want to change employers. Meanwhile, 18 global brands sourcing from the apparel, footwear, and travel goods sector of Cambodia – including Levi Strauss & Co., New Balance, PUMA, and Gap Inc.?– have spoken out against Cambodia’s Ministry of Interior’s investigation into the Center for Alliance of Labor and Human Rights (CENTRAL). An audit into the NGO was announced by the Cambodian government following the release of CENTRAL’s report ‘Barriers to Representation: Freedom of Association in Cambodia ’, which criticised the International Labour Organisation (ILO’s) labour monitoring programme for failures to adequately report on employer-imposed barriers to freedom of association in the country. In a statement, the brands said ‘it appears that the government’s investigation and document requests of CENTRAL [are] in reaction [to the report]’, and urged the government to ‘refrain from taking any measures that could be perceived as restricting civil society space or freedom of speech’.?
MINING COMMUNITIES SPEAK OUT: This week, 2 communities in Zimbabwe demanded fair treatment by mining companies, as they alleged environmental destruction and forced evictions. In Hwange, at least 2000 Dinde villagers - made up of Tonga and Nambya Indigenous Peoples - are reportedly at risk of forcible relocation for the creation of the Beifa Coal Mine and Power Station. Members of the community have spoken out against the project, claiming they were not consulted, received little information regarding compensation, and alleging in 2019 the company started exploration which violated community graves. Villagers stated they will not leave the land without compensation. A spokesperson for Beifa Investments said the company ‘has not evicted or shown any intention to evict anyone within the Dinde community’, and further denies desecrating the community's graves. Meanwhile, Villagers in Inyathi, Matabeleland North province, have called on the government to establish a fair revenue-sharing model , ensuring that they benefit economically from mining activities in the district. Mining operations in the region have reportedly contributed to deforestation, water pollution, and loss of agricultural land and local livelihoods. These issues are particularly significant for the country in light of the boom in critical transition minerals vital for the development of green technologies. This month, new guidance by a UN Secretary-General-led panel on transition minerals stressed that human rights must be central to the transition mineral value chain .
AROUND THE WORLD
AFRICA
Spotlight:
The International Federation for Human Rights
Authorities have reportedly escalated repression of human rights defenders (HRDs) opposing oil development projects in the Lake Albert region, particularly targeting protests against the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP). New figures released by the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) allege that since May 2024, at least 81 arrests have occurred, including 72 in August alone. Activists have reported judicial harassment, threats and intimidation, and one case of torture. On 26 August, 21 people were arrested as they were marching towards Parliament and the head offices of TotalEnergies and CNOOC to hand in a petition against EACOP.
?? We invited project partners TotalEnergies, Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC) and CNOOC (China National Offshore Oil Corporation) to respond to allegations. TotalEnergies responded. It said it takes a proactive approach to upholding human rights standards, stating that when alerted to allegations of threats or violence against HRDs, the company’s ‘Security Team will typically visit the police station and request information on the protestors’ welfare, and advocate for the need to respect the human rights of the HRDs.’ See the full response here .??
??UNOC and CNOOC did not respond to our requests for comment.??
Other news from the region:
AMERICAS
Spotlight:
NBC News
Telecom company Lingo Telecom was fined USD1m by federal authorities for its alleged role in enabling deepfake robocalls that impersonated President Joe Biden ahead of the New Hampshire Democratic primary. The AI-generated calls reportedly attempted to mislead and suppress voters, encouraging them not to vote in the election. The ruling by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) marks a first-of-its-kind enforcement action against malicious deepfakes or AI-driven impersonations of others.?
Other news from the region:
ASIA & PACIFIC
Spotlight:
ESCU
Chinese companies are the leading suppliers of foreign-made Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machinery, used for military and defence purposes, to Russia according to a report by the Economic Security Council of Ukraine. The report alleges that, despite sanctions, China accounted for 80-90% of Russia’s machine tool imports in 2023 and 2024.?
领英推荐
???We invited 26 named companies to respond to the allegations. Huizhou Oleading Technology responded stating it operates in compliance with all relevant laws and urges its partners to do the same. Read the full response here .??
??The remaining 25 companies did not respond. They are listed here .??
Other news from the region:
EUROPE & CENTRAL ASIA
Spotlight:
TUC Congress
The National Education Union and Unison called on the UK government to end all arms sales to Israel, among other demands which include: recognising the State of Palestine; calling for a permanent ceasefire and the release of all hostages and Palestinian political prisoners; and imposing sanctions upon individuals and entities who have made statements inciting genocide against Palestinians. The unions emphasise the UK's responsibility, as a party to the Genocide Convention, to prevent and punish acts of genocide, citing recent rulings from the International Court of Justice and International Criminal Court.??
Other news from the region:
MIDDLE EAST & NORTH AFRICA
Spotlight:
Wall Street Journal
NEOM, the world’s biggest construction project, faces reports of racism, misogyny and corruption among top executives leading the project, following an exposé by the Wall Street Journal. The investigation alleges female, Black and Indian workers have all been targets of verbal abuse from top executives. The project also faces reports of health and safety negligence allegedly resulting in a series of worker deaths. According to a phone call recording heard by The Wall Street Journal, one executive complained of increased meetings as a result of the deaths. NEOM said in a statement it has a culturally diverse workforce and takes a zero-tolerance approach to inappropriate workplace behaviour. The project said it investigates every health and safety incident.?
Other news from the region:
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