Finance
Dyson settles Malaysian workers' UK lawsuit
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 27, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 27, 2026
Quick Summary
Two dozen Nepali and Bangladeshi migrant workers have settled a London High Court claim against Dyson entities over alleged forced labour and abuse at Malaysian supplier factories, with no admission of liability. Dyson had ended its supplier relationship with ATA in 2021 following audits into labour
Dyson settles London lawsuit over Malaysian factory forced labour claims
Case overview and settlement details
Allegations by migrant workers
Claims involving wages, treatment, and responsibility
LONDON, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Two dozen migrant workers who alleged they were subjected to forced labour at a Malaysian factory while making parts for British vacuum cleaner manufacturer Dyson have settled their London lawsuit, their lawyers said on Friday.
The 24 workers from Nepal and Bangladesh, one of whom has died and whose estate brought the case, sued Dyson Technology Ltd, Dyson Ltd and a Malaysian subsidiary in 2022.
The claimants were workers for Malaysian firm ATA Industrial or its sister company and made components for Dyson products.
Their lawyers previously said the workers had money unlawfully deducted from their wages and were sometimes beaten for not meeting onerous targets, alleging the Dyson companies were ultimately responsible.
Dyson response and supplier relationship
Contract cancellation and denial of allegations
Dyson, whose Malaysian subsidiary cancelled its contract with ATA in 2021, denied the claimants' allegations.
High Court settlement and statements
No admission of liability
Leigh Day statement on litigation costs and defendants’ position
The lawsuit at London's High Court was settled, the claimants' law firm Leigh Day said in a statement, with no admission of liability by the defendants.
"This resolution was reached in recognition of the expenses of litigation and the benefits of settlement," a statement on Leigh Day's website said.
"The defendants deny and have always denied all liability in respect of the claimants, who were employed by a third-party supplier, at factories in Malaysia which were owned and operated by ATA Industrial (M) Sdn Bhd and its related entities."
(Reporting by Sam Tobin, Editing by Paul Sandle)
Key Takeaways
- •The case (Limbu & Ors v Dyson) centred on whether England or Malaysia was the right forum; the UK Supreme Court refused Dyson permission to appeal in May 2025, allowing the claims to proceed in England before this settlement. (supremecourt.uk)
- •Dyson terminated its contract with ATA IMS in late 2021 after a labour-practices audit and whistleblower allegations; ATA said the audit findings were not conclusive and warned of a major revenue hit from Dyson’s exit. (euronews.com)
- •Human-rights groups said Dyson conducted multiple audits (including a final in-depth audit reportedly identifying major forced-labour risks) but audit reports were not made public; Dyson said it took the “ultimate sanction” by ending the relationship when improvements were not timely. (hrw.org)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Dyson settles Malaysian workers' UK lawsuit
1Who brought the lawsuit against Dyson in London?
Twenty-four migrant workers from Nepal and Bangladesh, including the estate of one worker who died, brought the lawsuit.
2What did the workers allege happened at the Malaysian factory?
Their lawyers said money was unlawfully deducted from wages and that some workers were beaten for not meeting onerous targets, alleging forced labour.
3Which companies were sued and who employed the workers?
The claim named Dyson Technology Ltd, Dyson Ltd and a Malaysian subsidiary. The workers were employed by Malaysian firm ATA Industrial or its sister company.
4Did Dyson admit liability as part of the settlement?
No. The settlement was reached with no admission of liability, and the defendants denied all liability.
5What was Dyson’s relationship with the Malaysian supplier mentioned in the case?
The claimants made components for Dyson products at factories owned and operated by ATA Industrial in Malaysia, and Dyson’s Malaysian subsidiary cancelled its contract with ATA in 2021.
