KUALA LUMPUR Reuters- Malaysia will charge Dyson supplier ATA IMS Bhd after complaints from the labour department, a minister said.
Dyson told Reuters last week that it was reducing ties with ATA in six months after an audit of the Malaysian company's labour practices and allegations by a whistleblower.
ATA, which receives 80% of its revenue from the home appliance maker, said this week it took the accusations seriously and that findings from a labour audit were inconclusive. It has previously denied the forced labour allegations.
Human Resources Minister M. Saravanan told parliament that the ministry, through the labour department, had taken action and opened investigation papers into ATA previously after receiving complaints.
Saravanan said in parliament on Tuesday that they had been given a compound notice but it has yet to be paid, so we will charge them in court.
Saravanan did not say what complaints the labour department had received or specify the charges.
The ministry did not respond to questions from Reuters about what the charges and complaints were about.
ATA, which makes parts for Dyson's vacuum cleaners and air purifiers, didn't have an immediate comment.
Saravanan said last week that Malaysia was investigating Dyson's decision to terminate the ATA contract.
Since the announcement by Dyson, ATA's shares have dropped nearly two-thirds.