[UPDATED] US blocks imports from Supermax over forced labour claims

KUALA LUMPUR – Supermax Corp Bhd is the latest Malaysian company to have its products barred from entering the United States over allegations of forced labour.

The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) today issued a withhold release order (WRO) against Supermax and its subsidiaries – Maxter Glove Manufacturing Sdn Bhd, Maxwell Glove Manufacturing Bhd and Supermax Glove Manufacturing Sdn Bhd.

The order is based on “information that reasonably indicates their use of forced labour and manufacturing operations”, CBP said in a statement.

It added that it identified 10 of the International Labour Organisation’s indicators of forced labour during its investigation.

Federal Statute 19 U.S.C. 1307 prohibits the importation of merchandise produced, wholly or in part, by convict labour, forced labour, and/or indentured labour, including forced or indentured child labour.

“With 10 of the 11 forced labour indicators identified during the course of our investigation, CBP has sufficient evidence to conclude that Supermax Corp Bhd and its subsidiaries produce gloves in violation of US trade law,” said CBP office of trade executive assistant commissioner AnnMarie R. Highsmith.

“Until the manufacturers can prove their manufacturing processes are free of forced labour, their goods are not welcome here.”

Aside from Supermax, other large-cap listed companies that still have a WRO against their products over force labour allegations are plantation giants FGV Holdings Bhd and Sime Darby Plantation Bhd.

Another glovemaker, Top Glove Corp Bhd, received a WRO in July last year and had the year-long ban lifted on September 10. – The Vibes, October 21, 2021