UK court to hear suit against govt for using gloves from M’sian firm

KUALA LUMPUR – The UK High Court will be hearing a challenge mounted by a non-profit group against the government over the continued use of disposable gloves made by a subsidiary Malaysian company, which is facing claims of forced labour.

The Independent reported yesterday that it would be a landmark case brought by the group known as The Citizens on the possibility of “modern slavery” in the UK’s supply chain.

The Malaysian parent company has been plagued by allegations of forced labour, with the US Customs and Border Protection agency issuing a Withhold Release Order banning the firm’s imports. The company faces similar actions in Canada.

The UK government last November said it would investigate the claims, but a month later awarded the subsidiary in the UK with a framework agreement and other suppliers with a £6 billion (RM32 billion) deal.

The Citizens’ suit is prepared by Wilson Solicitors LLP, which is representing several current and former workers of Malaysian glove factories.

“The high court’s order outlines that there is an arguable claim of a grave breach of public law obligations to answer and thus permission for the case to proceed to a full judicial review hearing has been allowed.

“Whilst the high court’s decision to grant permission is only the first stage of these legal proceedings, it is significant in that it is the first case in the English courts to consider the use of modern slavery in the government’s own procurement processes,” lead solicitor Nusrat Uddin was quoted as saying.

The Independent also reported that government officials had identified companies tainted with allegations of forced labour since November 2019 but continued to buy from them, especially during the height of the pandemic.

“While we cannot comment on individual contracts, we take allegations of this nature very seriously and will take swift action where necessary.

“A proper due diligence process is carried out for all government contracts and our suppliers are required to follow the highest legal and ethical standards. If they fail to do so, we will remove them from current and future contracts,” a Health and Social Department spokesman told the daily. – The Vibes, May 21, 2022