Migrant workers’ lawsuit against Dyson revived by UK court

Claimants allege forced labour and unlawful wage deductions

Two dozen migrant workers who allege they were subjected to forced labour at a Malaysian factory while making parts for British vacuum cleaner manufacturer Dyson can sue the company in London, the Court of Appeal ruled today.

Background

The 24 workers from Nepal and Bangladesh, one of whom has died and whose estate brought the case, sued Dyson Technology Ltd, Dyson Ltd and a Malaysian subsidiary in 2022.

The allegations

The claimants were workers for Malaysian firm ATA Industrial or its sister company and made components for Dyson products.

Their lawyers say the workers had money unlawfully deducted from their wages and were sometimes beaten for not meeting onerous targets, alleging in a lawsuit at London’s High Court that the Dyson companies were ultimately responsible.

Dyson’s response

Dyson, whose Malaysian subsidiary cancelled its contract with ATA in 2021, denies the claimants’ allegations and argued that any lawsuit should be brought in Malaysia rather than Britain.

Previous court ruling

Last year, the High Court threw the case out and ruled that the workers could sue in Malaysia.

Appeal decision

But the Court of Appeal overturned that decision, saying in a written ruling that London was “clearly and distinctly the appropriate forum” for the cases to be heard.

Dyson’s reaction

“This was a procedural hearing to determine where the main case should ultimately be heard,” a Dyson spokesman said.

“The High Court was right last year in its carefully considered ruling that it should be heard in Malaysia and we disagree with today’s appeal decision,” the spokesman added, explaining that Dyson was reviewing its legal options.

About Dyson

The company – founded by James Dyson, the inventor of the bagless cleaner – employs around 2,500 people in Britain, including at its research and development (R&D) centre in Malmesbury, west England, having announced in July that it was cutting about 1,000 jobs.

Conclusion

The Court of Appeal’s decision allows the migrant workers to pursue their lawsuit against Dyson in London, where they can seek justice for the alleged forced labour and unlawful wage deductions they suffered.

FAQs

Q: Who are the claimants in the lawsuit?
A: The 24 claimants are migrant workers from Nepal and Bangladesh who worked at a Malaysian factory making parts for Dyson products.

Q: What are the allegations against Dyson?
A: The workers allege that they were subjected to forced labour, had money unlawfully deducted from their wages, and were sometimes beaten for not meeting onerous targets.

Q: Why did Dyson argue that the lawsuit should be brought in Malaysia?
A: Dyson argued that the workers should sue in Malaysia because the alleged wrongdoing occurred in Malaysia and the company’s Malaysian subsidiary cancelled its contract with ATA in 2021.

Q: What is the next step in the lawsuit?
A: The case will now proceed in London, where the workers will seek justice for the alleged forced labour and unlawful wage deductions they suffered.