US ban a warning to other Malaysian manufacturers, says rights activist
3 October 2019 Print page
PETALING JAYA: An international workers’ rights activist has warned that Malaysian companies could face more trade sanctions from Washington for labour practices, after US authorities yesterday banned rubber gloves produced by a Malaysian company.
Andy Hall said the latest action was a signal from Washington to other rubber manufacturing companies in Malaysia to improve working conditions or face trade sanctions.
“This is just the start of the reports being looked into,” he told FMT.
Hall said other industries such as palm oil, electronics, automobiles, as well as glass and plastic manufacturing could also face similar actions.
Yesterday, the US Customs and Borders Protection blocked imports of goods suspected to have been made with forced labour from five countries, including rubber gloves produced by WRP Asia Pacific Sdn Bhd, a leading rubber gloves company based in Malaysia.
Under US laws, it is illegal to import goods made through forced labour.
Hall, who is currently doing research in Dhaka, works closely with migrant workers from Bangladesh, Nepal, Vietnam, India and Sri Lanka, among others.
“I have been working with many workers in Malaysia. Unless the Malaysian government gets serious about improving working conditions, Malaysian goods will be blocked from the US.”
He said the workers from the factory named by the US authorities had previously gone on strike over delayed payments and for restricting their movement.
There have also been complaints about Bangladeshi and Nepali workers in bondage, who had paid RM20,000 to agents to secure jobs at WRP.
He said Human Resources Minister M Kula Segaran had promised action, but the decision by the US to impose sanctions on Malaysian-made gloves by WRP, is a sign that the actions had been inadequate.
He urged Putrajaya to get serious about addressing forced labour and modern day slavery.
Hall said nothing was done despite the government’s promise to look into the matter.
In February 2019, the Labour Department said its investigations found that WRP Asia Pacific Sdn Bhd had committed other labour offences related to overtime, pay cuts and working hours during breaks and public holidays.
Kula had said his ministry would take action against any company breaching employment laws.
Hall asked if some of these Malaysian companies were “above the law” as the government has failed to take action.
“Still no improvements from Malaysia, why?”
FMT is awaiting a response from WRP Asia Pacific and Kula.
Meanwhile, the Malaysian Trades Union Congress said the sanctions against WRP were not surprising, adding that Putrajaya appeared to have failed to take action against the company.
“MTUC urges the government not to be in continuous denial and to show proof that action has been taken against WRP and that the company is no longer carrying out forced labour,” MTUC secretary-general J Solomon said.
He warned that inaction would only encourage employers to continue their oppressive methods against migrant workers.
“Many of these victims fail to obtain redress for their abuses, even in the Industrial Court, due to bureaucracy,” he added.
Solomon said the government should invite the Malaysian Employers Federation and MTUC to examine the report of forced labour by the US Customs and Border Protection to stop such practices in future.
Source : https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2019/10/02/us-ban-a-warning-to-other-malaysian-manufacturers-says-rights-activist/