Dyson settles forced labour suit in landmark UK case

4 hours ago

Dyson settled a lawsuit filed by 24 migrant workers alleging forced labor and abusive treatment in a Malaysian factory.
Workers from Nepal and Bangladesh described conditions akin to modern slavery, including threats, beatings, withheld passports, and unsanitary working conditions.
Dyson denied liability, stating it was unaware of the abuses and blamed the Malaysian supplier.
The case set a precedent allowing foreign companies supplying British manufacturers to be judged in English courts.
Workers were reportedly denied toilet breaks and forced to work over 12-hour shifts without breaks.
The settlement terms, including compensation details, were not disclosed.
Both Dyson and the workers' lawyers (Leigh Day) stated the settlement was not an admission of liability.
The UK Supreme Court ruled the case could proceed in England, holding British companies accountable for supplier actions abroad.
Malaysia has long faced criticism for migrant worker abuses.
Dyson moved manufacturing from the UK to Malaysia in 2002 and relocated its headquarters to Singapore in 2019.

Hasty Briefsbeta