US lifts import ban on Brightway gloves

• UPDATE 2.56PM | Added comments from Brightway Group.

The US government has lifted its withhold release order (WRO) issued on Dec 20, 2021, against gloves manufactured by Brightway Group.

According to a statement issued three days ago by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the WRO lifting would apply to gloves produced by Brightway Holdings Sdn Bhd, Laglove (M) Sdn Bhd, and Biopro (M) Sdn Bhd (collectively known as Brightway Group).

“Effective immediately, the US will allow disposable gloves produced by the Brightway Group to enter the US provided they are otherwise compliant with US laws.

“As of Oct 11, 2024, the US will no longer detain disposable gloves produced by the Brightway Group at US ports of entry,” said US CBP’s senior official Troy A Miller, who is performing the duties of the commissioner.

On Dec 20, 2021, CBP issued a WRO against imported disposable gloves produced using forced labour, wholly or in part, by the Brightway Group.

It was issued based on evidence reasonably indicating that the working conditions at the Brightway Group exposed workers to 10 of the 11 International Labour Organization forced labour indicators. 

According to a report by the New Straits Times on Sept 22, 2023, Brightway Group was the only Malaysian glove manufacturer left under the US CBP ban following the latter’s decision to lift its ban on Supermax Corporation Bhd’s gloves exports to the US.

Addressing forced labour issues

On that note, Miller said that since the implementation of the WRO, Brightway Group has taken action to fully remediate the forced labour indicators within its manufacturing process.

“This is the agency’s second modification issued in 2024. CBP’s forced labour enforcement efforts have improved living and working conditions for tens of thousands of workers, including the repayment of more than US$62 million in withheld wages and recruitment fees used to trap workers in debt bondage.

“Facilitation of legitimate trade is just as important as CBP’s enforcement against illegal trade practices.

“When companies can document compliance with US trade laws, forced labour or otherwise, they’ll have access to the US market. It’s that simple,” he added.

CBP’s Office of Trade executive assistant commissioner AnnMarie R Highsmith said its agency was making a real impact toward eliminating forced labour from US supply chains.

“Industry has noticed CBP’s strong, consistent enforcement stance, and businesses are changing their behaviours.

“Many are proactively implementing due diligence into their supply chains using the many resources CBP has made available,” she added. 

Looking forward to US market

In a response, Brightway Group managing director G Baskaran expressed relief over the matter.

“We are certainly relieved that (US) CBP has lifted the WRO imposed onto Brightway Group and with this, we once again look forward to resuming our exports to the US,” he said in a statement to Malaysiakini today.

He added that his company has devoted considerable resources to addressing US CBP’s concerns and appreciated the agency for formally recognising their efforts.

“Brightway Group has always been and will remain committed to respecting the rights of its workers, pursuant to its commitments under United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights,” Baskaran added.

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