KUALA LUMPUR: ATA IMS Bhd announced that the company has appointed a reputable and professional law firm in Malaysia to conduct an independent review on the allegations of physical abuse by the former ATA worker.

       In a statement to Bursa Malaysia, the company said the preliminary findings of the independent law firm indicates that the allegations may be unjustified.

       "The detailed report and findings will be finalised soon.

       "The company reiterates that it will not hesitate to take stern disciplinary action against any person who is found to have breached its policies and/or committed acts against the welfare, safety and security of its workers,” it said in reference to the news article by Reuters titled "Exclusive Dyson dumps Malaysian supplier ATA over labour concerns”.

       The company said to the extent that any acts amount to an offence under the law, the company will not hesitate to report them to the authorities.

       The company will make a further press release when the independent report is completed.

       Yesterday, electronics manufacturing service (EMS) provider ATA IMS had confirmed a news report that Dyson Operations Pte Ltd and Dyson Manufacturing Sdn Bhd had terminated three contracts with its wholly owned unit, ATA Industrial (M) Sdn Bhd (ATAIM), effective June 1, 2022.

       In reference to the article by Reuters, the company has said that it places significant emphasis on the welfare, safety and security of its workers.

       Additionally, the company highlights that it has existing policies and systems in place, including an existing anonymous whistleblowing hotline operated by third parties, an established induction programme that educates workers on their available channels to highlight any concerns that they may have and counselling programme to ensure the well-being of its workers.

       "The company also engages professional dormitory operators to provide clean and hygienic accommodation and living facilities.

       "The company also wishes to highlight that it is also subject to regular audits and inspection of the working and living conditions of its workers.

       "Ad hoc inspections had also been carried out by the Department of Labour, the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) as well as SUHAKAM. In none of these audits and inspections were issues of forced labour found in the company,” it said.

       The company therefore takes a serious view of the allegations of forced labour practices mentioned in the summary of the audit that it has received, and the allegations of physical abuse made by the former ATA worker mentioned in the article which had come to its attention earlier.

       "The company has, immediately upon being notified of the summary of the audit, appointed a firm of consultants to review and verify those findings and to take remediation steps if necessary.

       "The company has registered with the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) for the Validated Assessment Program (VAP) audit via its online registration platform (RBA Membership #ID: G-C0-10011601) and is expected to be able to submit all the requirements by December 2021 and for the VAP audit to take place in the first quarter of 2022,” it added. - Bernama