ATA IMS Bhd views with great concern statements and comments made by Andy Hall to FocusM on Jan 4 regarding the company’s announcement that it is working with the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) towards improving its environmental, social and governance (ESG) and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

For Hall to question the credibility and capability of a national human rights body, and the genuine intentions of an independent corporate organisation in improving ATA IMS’ sustainability efforts borders on bullying.

This is especially in consideration that Hall himself had never visited the company in person and does not verify any allegations of forced labour prior to arriving at his own conclusions.

The commission had visited the company’s facilities on Sept 27, 2021 to verify allegations of forced labour and modern-day slavery against ATA IMS as reported by a British newspaper in June 2021.

The paper had since issued a public apology on these allegations in July 2021. All the same, the company was happy to receive representatives from the commission.

While the commission commended ATA IMS for showing its commitment to fulfilling the requirements set up by its clients and its adherence to ESG and CSR guidelines, it also recommended several measures for ATA IMS to improve on these efforts.

The company had immediately worked towards putting in place improvement measures based on Suhakam’s feedback, and is working closely with the commission for further improvements. Suhakam, too, has confirmed this matter.

Towards this end, ATA IMS hopes for all parties to be fair and to consider its remedial measures in ensuring the well-being of its local and foreign workforce and to maintain a neutral and balanced position in reports of the company, and to allow the company space to do its continuous improvements without external interruptions or interference.

The company reiterates that it is working closely with the Malaysian Government, Malaysian non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as well as the relevant Malaysian agencies and bodies to step up on its ESG and CSR efforts.

As someone working in the field of migrant worker rights, the company would have expected Hall to appreciate that concerted efforts are being made and implemented in stages by ATA IMS towards safeguarding the well-being of its foreign workers.

Hall’s current actions seem contradictory to what he claims to advocate, and it is apparent that Hall’s biased views and actions are detrimental to ATA IMS’ efforts in the ESG and CSR spectrum. – Jan 5, 2022

ATA IMS Bhd is a leading electronics manufacturing service (EMS) provider to internationally recognised brands.

https://focusmalaysia.my/ata-ims-bhd-accuses-rights-activist-andy-hall-of-bullying-and-bias/