US blocks imports from Malaysian glovemaker over alleged forced labor practices News
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US blocks imports from Malaysian glovemaker over alleged forced labor practices

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced Wednesday that it had barred imports from a Malaysian glovemaker Supermax Corporation over alleged forced labor practices.

CBP issued a Withhold Release Order (WRO) against Supermax Corporation and its subsidiaries, which bars imports from the manufacturer. CBP stated that it had found indications that the corporation used forced labor. 19 U.S.C. § 1307 prohibits the importation of merchandise produced in any part by a convict, forced, or indentured labor.

Based upon information gathered from its investigations, the agency said it had identified 10 of the International Labour Organization’s indications of forced labor. These indicators are intended to help identify individuals who are in forced labor situations and may require assistance. There are a total of 11 common signs of these practices, including isolation, physical violence, intimidation, and wage withholding.

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas stated:

With this Withhold Release Order, the Biden-Harris Administration continues to make clear that products made in whole or in part by forced labor will not be allowed into the United States. DHS will continue to set an international standard for the elimination of the deplorable practice of forced labor.  We will remove it from American supply chains.

This is the fourth Malaysian firm in the past 15 months to be barred by CBP. In 2021, CBP issued seven WROs and two forced labor findings.