The claims are among several faced by Malaysia over alleged abuse of foreign labour. In early July, the US State Department downgraded Malaysia to Tier 3 – the lowest – in its annual human trafficking report.

The group, Liberty Shared, told Reuters that its June petition to US Customs, based on lawsuits and police reports by migrant workers, was probably the first of its kind against a subsidiary of an American-owned company in Southeast Asia.

“The conditions and treatment they have endured seem to satisfy the International Labour Organization’s forced labour indicators,” said the group’s managing director, Duncan Jepson.

He said he understood US Customs authorities were pursuing the matter.

Similar petitions to US Customs have led to imports from Malaysian firms being blocked in the past over suspicions of forced labour.

In May, migrant workers from India, Myanmar and Nepal accused Goodyear Malaysia of unpaid wages, unlawful overtime, threats and intimidation.

Goodyear, one of the world’s largest tyre makers, said it was unaware of Liberty Shared’s petition and had strong policies to protect human rights.

“We take seriously any allegation of improper behaviour and are committed to ensuring that our business practices and those of our associates, operations and supply chain adhere to all applicable legal requirements and the requirements in our policies,” a Goodyear spokesman said.

In the past, the company had declined to comment on the accusations, citing the ongoing court process.