IRAdvocates and Panasonic Reach Historic Settlement for Workers at Kawaguchi Factory in Malaysia
For over two decades, International Rights Advocates (IRAdvocates) has championed justice for communities victimized by corporate human rights abuses, tirelessly engaging in dialogue and confronting powerful multinational corporations.
Our commitment to justice isn't measured merely in courtroom victories. We consistently advocate for collaboration over litigation. When corporate misconduct emerges, IRAdvocates first seeks dialogue, urging companies to honor their publicly stated commitments and swiftly rectify injustices. Regrettably, corporations often choose costly legal battles over genuine reform, treating human rights policies as mere public relations gestures rather than meaningful commitments.
Yet amidst these challenges, meaningful collaborations emerge. As part of its work to address the most pressing human rights issues, IRAdvocates has been involved in advocating for over 250 migrant workers from Bangladesh who were employed at Kawaguchi Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd in Malaysia, and who we believed were subject to wrongful labor practices while working at Kawaguchi. As is our practice, when these issues surfaced, we raised our concerns not only with Kawaguchi, but also with certain manufacturers who are Kawaguchi’s downstream customers. One such manufacturer is Panasonic.
To its credit, Panasonic conducted audits and subsequently raised its concerns with Kawaguchi, requesting them to promptly implement corrective measures soon after these allegations emerged— demonstrating efforts to use their leverage to encourage Kawaguchi to address the negative impacts. Despite being the primary duty bearer that caused the negative impact, Kawaguchi took no action to remediate the workers, further prolonging their suffering. Considering the hardships the workers endured because of the inaction of Kawaguchi, Panasonic took meaningful, proactive steps to assist the workers, including providing much-needed financial assistance through the reimbursement of the recruitment fees the workers indicated to have paid.
It is also commendable that Panasonic is making comprehensive efforts to resolve this issue, not only by providing direct relief to the workers, but also by monitoring whether Kawaguchi is fulfilling the payment of unpaid salaries promised to the workers. IRAdvocates applauds Panasonic for taking a constructive approach toward this situation and is grateful to Panasonic for its cooperation in this matter, understanding that the exceptional nature of this case requires exceptional measures to be taken. This case stands as a powerful reminder that positive change is possible when corporations genuinely embrace collaboration and a commitment to human rights.
IRAdvocates applauds Panasonic’s constructive action, highlighting a path forward where companies uphold human rights sincerely, beyond mere words and empty promises. IRAdvocates remains resolute and is driven by a powerful vision: a world where human rights are valued above profit, and corporate accountability is transformed from aspiration to reality.
