KUALA LUMPUR – Top Glove Corp Bhd has refuted a recent report by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) on its workers’ welfare, saying it is misleading and has damaged the company’s good reputation.
The company, in a statement today, said the report intentionally downplayed, or excluded altogether, the latest remedial actions that the rubber glove maker has taken.
“We are extremely disappointed that our remedial actions were not comprehensively published and fairly represented in the main reporting video, as they rightfully should be.”
It added that the allegations raised by CBC in its broadcasts and report, as well as the way in which they were portrayed, suggested a breach in existing policies that Top Glove has in place, including its commitment to combating forced labour, and its implementation of robust policies to protect the rights of its workers.
It was reported that CBC had on Friday published videos and articles detailing what it termed as “appalling” working conditions at Top Glove factories.
The report made use of hidden camera footage, reportedly filmed using a camera smuggled into the premises with the help of a Top Glove employee, of which CBC claimed showed unsafe working and poor living conditions of its workers.
“Top Glove is committed to ensuring that debt bondage and other related issues, which were wrongly reported by CBC, have no place in its operations. We approach this by ensuring appropriate decision-making across all levels of our operations, which are evaluated by our management and directors.
“As an added compulsory measure, the company conducts assessments to identify gaps and potential risks within its operations and supply chains, develops mitigation plans and provides remedial actions on areas that its business and operations do not meet the aspiration on the rights of its workers.”
Top Glove reiterated that the health and safety of its employees is the company’s top priority, as it continues to produce high-quality gloves to protect medical practitioners and frontliners worldwide. The company is also dedicated to adhering to stringent measures to safeguard all employees, as well as the communities it serves.
At 11am, shares of Top Glove declined 0.63% to RM6.30. – Bernama, January 19, 2021
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