KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysian rubber glovemaker Smart Glove is facing a ban on its imports into the US over allegations of forced labour practices – the fifth Malaysian company to see such action in the last 15 months.
The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a Withhold Release Order that prohibits imports from Smart Glove and its group of companies, the CBP said in a statement on Thursday. The group of companies includes Smart Glove Corporation Sdn Bhd, GX Corporation Sdn Bhd, GX3 Specialty Plant, Sigma Glove Industries, and Platinum Glove Industries Sdn Bhd.
The decision, it said, was based on reasonable evidence that indicates “Smart Glove production facilities utilise forced labour”.
CBP added that its investigation identified seven of the 11 forced labour indicators set out by the International Labour Organisation at Smart Glove, but did not specify which ones.
Smart Glove manufactures rubber gloves for the medical and food industries.
Aside from Smart Glove, the US has imposed similar bans on Malaysian glovemaker Supermax Corp, and palm oil producers Sime Darby Plantation and FGV Holdings
World’s biggest glovemaker Top Glove Corp Bhd was handed an import ban and saw it lifted last month after certain issues were resolved.
Supermax, Sime Darby and FGV have said that they are working with the CBP to resolve the labour allegations. – The Vibes, November 5, 2021
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