The company said the consultant focused on the company’s human rights, ethical trade and fair work practices and referenced them against the International Labour Organization’s 11 forced labour indicators.

“The independent consultant’s opinion as of January 2021 was that there is no systemic forced labour within the group,” managing director Lee Kim Meow said today.

He added that Top Glove was also committed to continuously improving areas such as its foreign worker recruitment practices, worker accommodation, fair hours and wages, safety and health standards, and Covid-19 specific safeguards.

Lee also said the company had submitted its corrective action plans to the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for review and approval, and it hopes to get the withhold release order (WRO) imposed on the company lifted as soon as possible.

In July last year, the CBP issued the order on the basis of forced labour concerns against Top Glove and its subsidiary TG Medical Gloves Sdn Bhd, and as a result detained shipments of the company’s products at ports of entry.

“We are following up closely with the CBP and working towards an expeditious resolution and revocation of the WRO,” he said.

Lee added that the company was currently awaiting the CBP’s verification of their independent consultant’s report on their workplace accommodation.

“We believe we have done well so far and aspire to do much more. We will continue to put every effort into improving our performance in terms of financial results as well as levelling up our sustainability practices so they are on par with international standards.”