Why are migrant workers suing US and Australian firms over alleged forced labour?

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Migrant Workers Sue US and Australian Firms Over Alleged Forced Labour in Malaysia

Thirteen former migrant workers at Malaysian glove manufacturer Brightway Holdings have filed a lawsuit in the United States against American company Kimberly-Clark Corp and Australian company Ansell Ltd. The suit, lodged in the Federal District Court for the District of Columbia, accuses the two firms of knowingly profiting from alleged forced labour practices at Brightway. The former workers are seeking damages from Kimberly-Clark and Ansell, citing public reports and labour audit violations as evidence that the companies were aware of the alleged abuses.
Allegations of Profiting from Forced Labour

The core of the lawsuit centres on the claim that Kimberly-Clark and Ansell benefited financially from Brightway's operations while allegedly being aware of the use of forced labour. The complaint specifies that public disclosures regarding Brightway and other Malaysian glove manufacturers, coupled with findings from labour audits, provided sufficient information for the two companies to know about the alleged mistreatment of workers. This knowledge, the plaintiffs argue, implicates Kimberly-Clark and Ansell in the alleged forced labour scheme.
Evidence of Awareness Cited

Publicly available information and internal audits are presented as key evidence in the lawsuit to demonstrate Kimberly-Clark and Ansell's awareness of the alleged abuses. The complaint suggests that reports detailing labour conditions at Brightway and its peers, alongside violations uncovered during labour audits, served as indicators of potential forced labour. These findings are intended to counter any claims of ignorance by the defendant companies regarding the working conditions at their supplier.
US Ban on Brightway Products

The United States had previously taken action against Brightway in December 2021 by banning its products from entering the country due to suspicions of forced labour. During its investigation, the US identified ten out of the eleven International Labour Organization indicators of forced labour within Brightway's operations. This official determination by a major importing nation underscores the severity of the alleged labour violations and provides a factual basis for the current lawsuit.

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Why are migrant workers suing US and Australian firms over alleged forced labour?

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