Smart Glove is now the sixth Malaysian manufacturer to face such a ban in a span of just over two years.
Reuters reported that the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a “withhold release order” to prohibit the imports of products from Smart Glove and its group of companies.
It cited “reasonable” evidence that pointed to the utilisation of forced labour in the firm’s production facilities.
The CBP said it identified seven of the 11 forced labour indicators set out by the International Labour Organization in Smart Glove’s production process, although it did not state the specific indicators.
Smart Glove did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment on the matter.
Two weeks ago, the US had banned another Malaysian glove maker Supermax Corporation’s products over similar allegations. In a statement issued on Oct 20, the CBP said Supermax and its subsidiaries had violated 10 of the 11 forced labour indicators.
Top Glove, the world’s leading glove manufacturer, faced a similar ban by the CBP over forced labour allegations in July 2020.
The ban was lifted two months ago after the company said it had resolved all indicators of forced labour in its operations, citing a report by independent consultant Impactt Ltd.
Palm oil producers Sime Darby Plantation and FGV Holdings Bhd had also been banned by the CBP in the past year.
Both firms have appointed auditors to evaluate their practices and stated that they would engage with the CBP to address its concerns.
Another leading Malaysian glove manufacturer, WRP Asia Pacific, was also put on the CBP withhold release order in September 2019 after charges that its gloves were produced through forced labour.
The ban was lifted in March 2020 based on information obtained by CBP showing that the company was no longer producing its rubber gloves under forced labour conditions.
Meanwhile, migrant worker activist Andy Hall welcomed the CBP’s decision to ban Smart Glove, saying foreign workers had been reporting to his team about the poor work conditions at the company for several years.
Other issues raised include workers paying high recruitment fees and having to bear with cramped living conditions, he said.
“I have engaged the local authorities on the poor work and living conditions as alleged by workers at Smart Glove for a long time but without any success nor any response.
“I welcome the CBP’s decision and hope this trade enforcement action against the company will lead to a swift change in the poor living and work conditions faced by the company’s workers in Malaysia,” he said in a statement today.