This includes forced labour, physical and psychological injuries, false imprisonment, cruel and degrading treatment and exposure to extremely hazardous working conditions.
The claimants all worked at a factory owned by ATA Industrial in Johor, where many Dyson products were made.
In a statement by UK law firm Leigh Day, the workers alleged that all of them had their passports retained for the duration of their employment, making it impossible to find other work, so they were trapped working at the ATA Industrial factory.
“Many lived in unsanitary and overcrowded living conditions of up to 80 people per room and their movements were restricted by security guards.
“The minimum daily shift for the claimants was 12 hours but they argue in their legal claim that they were all forced to work overtime, with shifts as long as 18 hours,” it said, adding that many were allegedly refused annual leave and worked for more than 18 months.
The firm said three of the claimants were arrested, spending between 14 and 24 days in jail, where they also alleged that they were beaten by the guards, among others.
“Recruitment fees, poor living conditions, passport retention, excessive hours, enforced overtime, and restrictions on movement are all clear indicators of forced labour, as defined by the International Labour Organization,” it said.
In their legal claim, the workers said Dyson was liable for the breaches of their legal rights due to the company’s knowledge of the alleged unlawful practices at the ATA Industrial factory.
They said this was also because of the company’s assumption of responsibility through its numerous public statements regarding its policies and procedures for detecting and preventing forced labour and exploitation in its supply chains.
“Despite Dyson’s many public statements about ‘responsible outsourcing’ in its supply chains and the extensive steps it claims to have taken to prevent exploitative working practices, our clients believe that Dyson has wholly failed in its responsibilities in relation to the treatment of workers at the ATA Industrial factory.
“Dyson had a reported turnover of US$8 billion in 2020, yet many of the workers making its products are paid well below the minimum wage. Our clients believe that corporations should not be allowed to profit from their exploitation and abuse,” it said.
The firm added that in a letter before action, Dyson was asked to pay compensation to the workers and if a settlement cannot be reached, the case will progress to the UK High Court.