US lifts import ban on glovemaker Supermax

The United States has lifted the ban on imports from Malaysian glovemaker Supermax Corp after the company’s efforts to eradicate elements of forced labour in its practices.

This comes following a series of statutory inspections conducted by the Human Resource Ministry through the Labour Department.

“The results of the inspections found that the employer had implemented a remediation plan involving 1,957 migrant employees totalling RM25.67 million.

“Besides that, the Labour Department held several engagement sessions with the employer to discuss improvement measures that have been and will be done by the company in handling this issue.

“The continuous efforts and initiatives taken by the company alongside enforcement actions by the ministry through the Labour Department have successfully convinced the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to withdraw the ‘Withhold Release Order’ (WRO) on Supermax Corp and its subsidiaries,” the Human Resource Ministry said in a statement today.

As such, the company has been allowed to resume its export of rubber gloves to the United States effective Sept 18, 2023.

Forced labour indicators

The WRO was first issued by the US CBP in October 2021 after 10 of the 11 forced labour indicators were identified in an investigation of the company.

The forced labour indicators as identified by the International Labour Organisation include excessive hours, debt bondage, physical and sexual violence, and abusive working and living conditions.

The CBP did not detail which indicators were found at Supermax and its units at the time.

Back in April this year, Supermax Corp reportedly urged former migrant employees to apply for reimbursement of any fees paid to obtain employment at the company as part of its effort to complete its labour policies transformation.

The company also established a sinking fund in March 2022 to repay recruitment fees of former workers who had returned to their native countries.

US lifts import ban on Malaysia's Smart Glove

M'sian glovemakers must show 'no forced labour' to sell to UK's NHS

US lifts import ban on Malaysian glove maker YTY

Top Glove family's offshore holdings a contrast to alleged workers woes

Supermax urges former migrant workers to seek fee reimbursement

Norway wealth fund puts Malaysia's Supermax Corp under observation

Canada ends contract with Supermax over labour allegations