Trade association raises concern over Top Glove's 'A' rating for labour practices
Malaysian glove manufacturer Top Glove cannot cite the good rating it had obtained at one of its factories as proof that it meets international standards of labour practices, said global ethical trade association Amfori.
Amfori, which works with firms worldwide to ensure ethical and sustainable trade, said it also has “concerns” over the 'A' rating Top Glove received after a supply chain audit at one of its factories.
“Indeed, we know that one of Top Glove’s factories - GMP Medicare Sdn Bhd - did...
Malaysian glove manufacturer Top Glove cannot cite the good rating it had obtained at one of its factories as proof that it meets international standards of labour practices, global ethical trade association Amfori said.
Amfori, which works with firms worldwide to ensure ethical and sustainable trade, said it also has “concerns” over the 'A' rating Top Glove received after a supply chain audit at one of its factories.
“Indeed, we know that one of Top Glove’s factories - GMP Medicare Sdn Bhd - did receive an Amfori Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI) 'A' rating in December 2019.
“However, it is important to note we have some concerns about the rating of this factory as well as the type of audit that was used.
“Furthermore, GMP Medicare Sdn Bhd is just one of several Top Glove factories, and we cannot (say) that this rating is representative of how we rated Top Glove (as a whole) in 2019,” the association said.
As such, Amfori declared that it “cannot support” Top Glove’s claim that the rating meant the glovemaker met international labour standards.
The audit was not unannounced
Amfori was responding to enquiries by the Business and Human Rights Centre (BHRC) following a UK Channel 4 exposé last month, on alleged labour exploitation at Top Glove factories. Amfori’s response to BHRC was sighted by Malaysiakini.
Following the exposé, Top Glove cited the 'A' rating it received in a social audit by Amfori BSCI as proof it does not exploit its workers.
Malaysiakini understands that the audit on GMP Medicare Sdn Bhd was considered suspect as the audit was not conducted unannounced, as required.
The unannounced, or surprised, audit was a requirement after GMP Medicare Sdn Bhd previously received a poor score in a 2018 audit.
However, this condition was not complied with and Amfori has since stopped working with the audit firm.
Sources also said that Top Glove may have been tipped off before an audit by the Health Ministry recently, allowing the glovemaker to ensure that all its workers wore masks and observed social distancing.
The Health Ministry, in its inspection report, said the Top Glove factory in Meru, Selangor, was fully compliant with standard operating procedures (SOPs) set for operating during the movement control order (MCO).
The ministry inspector, in a report dated May 5, also noted social distancing measures could be improved, more hand sanitisers were required, and cleanliness in the canteen was subpar. The ministry inspection report was circulated to the media by Top Glove.
Top Glove: We are committed to human rights
UK's Channel 4 reported that Top Glove staff were working up to 111 hours a week to meet global demand for personal protective equipment (PPE), had illegal deductions to their salary, and were housed in cramped hostels without room for social distancing.
The report also cited workers expressing fear of infection, given their cramped living conditions, which was consistent with an earlier report by Malaysiakini.
Responding to the Channel 4 exposé, Top Glove denied making unsanctioned salary deductions or forcing workers to work 104 hours a week, in accordance with Malaysian law.
“At Top Glove, we believe in treating everyone with respect, embracing diversity, and are committed to upholding human rights.
“We continuously identify ways to create a work environment in which everyone feels valued and appreciated,” Top Glove human resources general manager William Yap said in a statement.
On June 11, Top Glove recorded its best-ever quarterly net profit at RM347.9 million, four times more than the same quarter last year.
The firm said sales went up 180 percent due to the surge in demand for rubber gloves, in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic.
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