KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia has always prioritised and supported good labour practices in all agri-commodity sectors for the welfare of all parties through the strengthening of laws involving workers’ welfare, thus attesting its firm stance against the practice of forced labour.
Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali said Malaysia’s commitment is evidenced by a two-year study on the labour situation in the plantation sector, which was completed last year in collaboration with the Human Resources Ministry, Statistics Department and International Labour Organisation (ILO).
“The Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry, through the Malaysian Rubber Council and in collaboration with the Malaysian Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association and Human Resources Ministry, as well as related agencies, constantly observe, monitor and warn the industry to protect the welfare of workers in the agricultural sector and comply with the law for the common good,” he said in a statement today.
Khairuddin said the ministry took note of the latest action by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency in issuing an import ban on all disposable gloves from Top Glove’s factories.
He said CPB’s claim is a continuation of previous allegations that have been and are being resolved by Top Glove.
“The ministry was informed that various measures and actions have been taken by the management of Top Glove to ensure that the world’s largest rubber glove manufacturer complies with all ILO regulations related to labour abuse.
“Among the steps taken by the company was to submit a report prepared by an international consultant from the United Kingdom, Impactt Limited to the CBP on March 16, 2021 for evaluation,” he said.
He said the company has also taken all necessary steps required by US authorities to ensure that the problems can be addressed promptly.
Last Tuesday, the CBP published a forced labour finding against Top Glove Corp Bhd in its Customs Bulletin and Federal Register.
The CBP then directed authorities at all US ports of entry to begin seizing disposable gloves produced by Top Glove.
Impactt, in a statement on March 9, said it attested that it found no systematic forced labour in the operations of Top Glove, based on the findings of an evaluation.
The ministry was also informed last year that the company had spent RM136 million to reduce the debt burden of migrant workers imposed by employment agencies.
This measure was part of the zero-cost recruitment and social compliance audit policy implemented by the company since 2019. – Bernama, April 2, 2021
