Shimano faces accusations of selling components made by 'modern slaves' employed Malaysian supplier
OtherFriday, 08 December 2023 at 01:00
Shimano has allegedly sold components produced by 'modern slaves' following a fluctuation in operations around the Covid pandemic, according to an investigation by The Telegraph.
The Japanese company sources components from a Malaysian supplier - Kwang Li Industry - that has been accused of exploiting migrant workers from Nepal. Workers at the factory say that they have been subject to physical abuse and threats, unlawful salary deductions and recruitment fees, and unpaid suspension.
A spokesperson for Shimano told The Telegraph: "This is a serious accusation, and it stands against what we believe in at Shimano. We are currently investigating the matter with the relevant parties and will use appropriate action to ensure the situation is resolved."
A spokesperson for Kwang Li Industry told the paper: "We vehemently deny all the false allegations made against us... this includes but not limited to the allegations of physical abuse and threats, illegal salary deductions and recruitment fees, and unpaid suspensions."
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- Maybe I'm wrong because I don't read anything about it but in my perception he had some symptoms of allergy: hyperventilation, throat itchy (It's impossible that he drank water because he was thirsty after few minutes to start, his throat would itch)
maria2024202412-06-2025 - No, no complots or sophisticated deceptions. Simply, things went bad for Tadej, while the others did very well (Remco) or well (Jonas). From the start, Tadej was breathing excessively (hyperventilating), strangely drinking water just minutes after starting out. I read that in a sector he couldn't control the bike properly... Maybe all of that, and maybe he's still not in shape. It happens.maria2024202412-06-2025
- Wasn’t it 10km? Always possible though he’s not much if a planner ;-)Mistermaumau12-06-2025
- We’ve seen the basis of this with other riders/teams (where less money was involved but UAE money is cheap) already, how can you exclude it? Happens in orher sports too.Mistermaumau12-06-2025
- Can you elaborate a bit on what difference you notice or feel or how it changes your perception of effort on various types of terrain/intensity? Any pain or stress relief for sensitive parts?Mistermaumau12-06-2025
- Hey, Mads is even contemplating altitude training. We oldies should know better, nothing like time to help a young mind mature ;-)Mistermaumau12-06-2025
- Does anyone think this result could have been "planned" by Tadej? I mean, yes he lost a lot of time but you didn't see him really push after exiting corners getting up from the bike, he even used his water bidon (on a 17km TT?) to take a sip... he started at a steady controlled pace and maintained that pace throughout the stage, no pushing at the end to limit time loss... Could this be some kind of bluff by Tadej? "Oh no, I didn't manage my effort, look guys I'm so vulnerable..." and then in the Tour de France crush them once more? We'll have to wait and see!Lobz7712-06-2025
- Good luck Robin. I'm glad you are on the mend. Life is wonderful. Keep focussed on that.Cyclingsbestfan12-06-2025
- Come on, it's not serious and you know it. But If your happiness is winning arguments, even with sophistry, ok. I like making people happy: YOU'RE RIGHT.maria2024202412-06-2025
- The word is that Jonas is running 150mm cranks on his road bike, I can't tell on his TT bike but they look much shorter. I moved to 155mm cranks at the end of 2023 for both my road bikes and my TT bike, it's been a game changer for me and looks to agree with Jonas as well.awp12-06-2025
OK, so there's no real gray (or grey) area here:
If the people can quit as they like and not face physical violence, it's not slavery.
If they can't quit without facing physical violence, it's slavery.
That's not to say that the working conditions are "good" by any objective (or Western subjective) measure, but it's still not slavery if there's no physical violence.
Remember, if there's no physical violence, then the people who work there *choose* to do so because they figure they are better off if they do than if they quit and find work elsewhere.
-An Economist