IKEA has made a historic commitment to pay 6 million euros ($6.5 million) to a government fund aimed at compensating victims of forced labor under East Germany’s communist regime.

This decision follows revelations that political and criminal prisoners were used to manufacture IKEA furniture during the Cold War, a practice that continued into the 1980s.

The independent investigation, commissioned by IKEA, revealed that company representatives were likely aware of the use of political prisoners as a labor source. The move is seen as a pivotal moment, encouraging other companies to address their roles in past injustices. Walter Kadner, CEO of IKEA Germany, expressed deep regret over the situation and emphasized the company’s commitment to supporting the victims.

This initiative has been welcomed by advocacy groups, including the Union of Victims’ Associations of Communist Dictatorship, which hopes that IKEA’s actions will prompt similar efforts from other corporations.