US bans imports from Malaysian glove maker YTY over forced labour allegations
Sign up now: Get insights on the biggest stories in Malaysia
Malaysian factories have come under increased scrutiny over suspected abuse of foreign workers.
PHOTO: PEXELS
Follow topic:
KUALA LUMPUR - The United States customs agency has banned imports from Malaysian disposable glove maker YTY Industry Holdings (YTY Group) over suspected forced labour practices, the seventh such ban on a Malaysian company in two years.
The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said on Friday (Jan 28) it took the action “based on information that reasonably indicates the use of forced labour in YTY Group’s manufacturing operations”.
The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said on Friday (Jan 28) it took the action “based on information that reasonably indicates the use of forced labour in YTY Group’s manufacturing operations”.
Malaysian factories, including some of the world’s major suppliers of palm oil and medical gloves, have come under increased scrutiny over suspected abuse of foreign workers, a significant part of the country’s manufacturing workforce.
YTY Group said it was “surprised and disappointed” by the ban, as it had made demonstrable progress since 2019 in improving its social compliance policies, particularly in its treatment of migrant workers.
The group said it had submitted an update to the CBP this month, informing that it had met compliance targets on all 11 International Labour Organisation (ILO) indicators of forced labour.
“Despite the position the CBP has taken, we will redouble our efforts to engage with them... to not only demonstrate that our manufacturing operations are devoid of any and all forced labour practices, but to reaffirm ongoing social compliance advancements,” YTY Chief Executive Vikram Hora said in a statement late Saturday.
CBP said it had identified seven of the ILO indicators during its investigation into YTY Group, including debt bondage, abusive working and living conditions, and excessive overtime.
YTY Group said it was “surprised and disappointed” by the ban, as it had made demonstrable progress since 2019 in improving its social compliance policies, particularly in its treatment of migrant workers.
The group said it had submitted an update to the CBP this month, informing that it had met compliance targets on all 11 International Labour Organisation (ILO) indicators of forced labour.
“Despite the position the CBP has taken, we will redouble our efforts to engage with them... to not only demonstrate that our manufacturing operations are devoid of any and all forced labour practices, but to reaffirm ongoing social compliance advancements,” YTY Chief Executive Vikram Hora said in a statement late Saturday.
CBP said it had identified seven of the ILO indicators during its investigation into YTY Group, including debt bondage, abusive working and living conditions, and excessive overtime.
