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15 Jul 2019

Malaysia: Investigation reveals forced labour & migrant worker abuses at factories producing for electronics brands; Incl. co. responses

In June 2019, an investigation by Danwatch revealed abuses faced by migrant workers working at Malaysian factories producing components for major electronics brands and their customers, including Infineon, Possehl, ST Micro, NXP, Panasonic, Toshiba, NXP, Vishay and Texas Instruments. Workers interviewed for the investigation, “Forced labour behind your screen”, allege excessive recruitment fees and forced labour, violent threats, passport confiscation and illegal wage deductions. 

Toshiba told Danwatch it would conduct its own on-site audit to investigate Danwatch's findings and Panasonic said it will "consider" doing a more in-depth survey that does not rely solely on its suppliers information. Infineon, Possehl and ST Micro said they were investigating the case. You can find their comments in the video, included below. Danwatch did not receive any comments from NXP, Vishay or Texas Instruments.

In July, Business & Human Rights Resource Centre invited NXP, Texas Instruments and Vishay to respond to the investigation. NXP responded that it is working closely together with Possehl, industry associations and other ICT companies to remedy the position of the affected workers with the priority being the repayment of fees and back-wages. NXP's full response is included below. Texas Instruments and Vishay did not respond. 

Company Responses

NXP Semiconductors View Response
Vishay Intertechnology

No Response

Texas Instruments

No Response

Timeline