KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 6): Labour rights activist Andy Hall said he has no intention to launch further public campaign against companies that are open to constructive dialogues on migrant worker rights.

This, he said, is due to the inherent risks of publicity to the well-being of all parties concerned, especially the workers and their families.

"It is also important to ensure migrant workers' livelihoods are sustained, while not compromising their welfare.

"It would not be an ideal situation if in the end, any workers, whether Malaysian or migrant, lose their jobs due to exploitation of situations that could and should be remedied," said Hall in a joint statement with electronics manufacturing services provider VS Industry Bhd on Monday (Dec 6).

The statement was issued after VS Industry reached out to Hall following references made to the company during a recent investor briefing on the topic of migrant workers' welfare in Malaysia.

"I continue to mention in my capacity as an independent guest speaker at conferences and investor briefings that there is a need to conduct further due diligence with regard to the situation of migrant workers at suppliers of many MNC (multinational company) brands in Malaysia," the activist said.

"My areas of concern include the legality of the use of outsourced migrant workers through third party agents, the risks inherent in the government's recalibration scheme as well as working hours, living wage and social dialogue issues, amongst others.

"However, my recent comments were not meant as a direct reference to indicate irremediable migrant worker issues at VS," he added.

Hall said his concerns are valid and should be treated seriously by companies, the government and investors in Malaysia and globally.

"In this regard, I am happy that the management of VS share my concerns and we are already in discussion on the subject of migrant workers' welfare following the company's effort to proactively reach out to me so I could share my concerns with them.

"I have offered my immediate suggestions for VS' management to consider. I look forward to further exchange of communication with VS leadership that can surely bring win-win outcomes to both migrant workers and VS," he added.

In response, VS Industry said it is serious in its efforts to safeguard the legitimate rights and interest of all of the group's employees, including migrant workers.

"At VS, we place high priority on ESG (environmental, social and governance) matters, and are committed to maintaining our high standards of corporate governance," said VS Industry managing director Datuk SY Gan in the joint statement.

"Obviously, managing a large pool of migrant workers indeed comes with challenges. As such, we have experienced and trained personnel in charge of the management of migrant workers.

"We are in compliance with all government regulations with regard to our migrant workers. We have also passed the latest audit checks by the Responsible Business Alliance or RBA, as well as by our key customers with no material issues highlighted.

"Notwithstanding this, we acknowledge and appreciate the concerns brought up by Andy Hall, and we understand where he is coming from. In response, as a transparent and responsible corporate citizen, VS wishes to once again stress we are open to working with external parties including civil society who can add value and further strengthen our ESG initiatives, including as regards enhancing the welfare of migrant workers," said Gan.

Shares of VS Industry rose 10 sen or 8.7% to close at RM1.25, valuing the group at RM4.78 billion.