The UK Supreme Court has refused Dyson’s final attempt to block a lawsuit brought by 24 migrant workers from Malaysia, clearing the way for the case to proceed in English courts. The workers allege they were subjected to abusive, exploitative, and unsafe conditions while working for ATA Industrial, a key Malaysian supplier of Dyson products.
UK courts have jurisdiction over overseas harm
The legal argument hinged on whether a UK court has the authority to hear claims of alleged wrongdoing that occurred entirely abroad. The Supreme Court’s dismissal of Dyson’s appeal follows previous landmark rulings involving companies like Shell and Vedanta, where UK firms were held potentially liable for human rights abuses committed by subsidiaries or suppliers overseas.
This means UK-headquartered businesses can no longer claim ignorance, or rely on legal distance, to shield themselves from claims of forced labour, human trafficking, or unsafe working conditions in foreign supply chains.
What the workers allege
The workers in this case describe appalling treatment, including:
- Passport confiscation
- Excessive working hours
- Hazardous conditions
- Threats and intimidation
- Payment of illegal recruitment fees, leaving them in debt bondage
All of this allegedly occurred at a factory that passed Dyson’s audits and formed part of its award-winning supply chain. Dyson ended the relationship with ATA in 2021, but the lawsuit argues that the company should have known, or did know, about the abusive practices and failed to act.
Why this matters for UK businesses
This isn’t just a Dyson problem. It’s a compliance wake-up call for any company relying on global supply chains. Regulators, courts, investors and the public increasingly expect companies to exercise real due diligence—not box-ticking exercises.
With the UK’s Modern Slavery Act, the EU’s forthcoming Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, and rising litigation risks, ignoring what happens “over there” is no longer an option.
Three key lessons for compliance
- You can be sued in the UK for overseas supply chain abuses. Location does not protect you. If your company profits from it, you may be liable for it.
- Audits aren’t enough. A factory passing a social audit doesn’t prove the absence of abuse. Deep, ongoing due diligence is essential.
- Forced labour is a foreseeable risk. If you operate in high-risk jurisdictions, you need documented, proactive measures in place to prevent harm—and the ability to prove it.
How VinciWorks can help
This is not just a legal loss for Dyson. It’s a powerful message to multinationals everywhere: your supply chain practices are no longer insulated by geography. If you profit from forced labour or allow exploitative practices in your overseas supply chains, you can be held accountable—even in the UK.
Our modern slavery training helps your company or firm avoid being connected to activity that violates regulations, either directly or by proxy through supplier relationships. With a range of options, our modern slavery training suite is designed to meet the needs of an entire team, from general staff to procurement teams.
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