Bursa Malaysia (KLSE) Stock Investment Portal

PETALING JAYA: An activist’s comments on the collaboration between ATA IMS Berhad and the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) borders on bullying, the company said.

ATA said the remarks by migrant worker activist Andy Hall on Suhakam’s approach and auditing methods were “biased” and “contradictory” to what he claimed to advocate.

“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’s sustainability efforts borders on bullying,” it said in a statement today.

“This is especially since Hall himself had never visited ATA in person and does not verify any allegations of forced labour prior to arriving at his own conclusions.”

ATA was referring to Hall’s comments on the company’s previous announcement that it was working with Suhakam to improve its environmental, social and governance (ESG), and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

Hall had said that Suhakam should explain its methodology and whether any credible or independent social compliance or auditing techniques were applied.

He asked how many workers had been interviewed and if they had been met alone or in groups.

He also wanted to know whether any investigation or action was taken against ATA staff who may have been complicit in charging recruitment fees to workers.

“As someone in the field of migrant workers’ rights, ATA expected Hall to appreciate that concerted efforts are being made and implemented in stages by the company towards safeguarding the well-being of its foreign workers,” ATA said.

“Hall’s current actions seem contradictory to what he claims to advocate. It is apparent that his biased views and actions are detrimental to ATA’s efforts in the ESG and CSR spectrum.”

It said Suhakam had visited the company’s facilities on Sept 27 to verify allegations of forced labour and modern-day slavery as reported in a British newspaper in June 2021. The paper issued a public apology on these allegations the following month.

ATA said it was happy to receive the Suhakam representatives, adding that the commission not only commended the company for its commitment, but also recommended measures to improve on their efforts.

“ATA has immediately worked towards putting in place these measures based on Suhakam’s feedback and is working closely with them for further improvements,” it said.

“Towards this, ATA hopes for all parties to be fair and to consider our remedial measures to ensure the well-being of our local and foreign workforce.

“We (also ask for) the space to carry out continuous improvements without external interruptions or interference.”

In November, high-tech home appliance maker Dyson Ltd announced that it had cut ties with ATA IMS Bhd, following an audit of the company’s labour practices and allegations of labour abuse by a whistleblower.