US bans imports from Malaysian glove maker YTY over forced labor allegations

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KUALA LUMPUR: The US Customs Agency has banned imports from Malaysian disposable glove maker YTY Industry Holdings (YTY Group) over alleged forced labor practices, the seventh such ban imposed on a Malaysian company in two years.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said Friday (January 28) that it took this action “based on information reasonably indicating the use of forced labor in the group’s manufacturing operations. YTY”.

Malaysian factories, including some of the world’s leading suppliers of palm oil and medical gloves, have come under increased scrutiny over alleged abuse by foreign workers, a significant part of the workforce manufacturing work of the country.

YTY Group said it was “surprised and disappointed” by the ban, as it had made demonstrable progress since 2019 in improving its social compliance policies, particularly in its treatment of migrant workers.

The group said it submitted an update to CBP this month advising it had met compliance targets on the International Labor Organization’s (ILO) 11 forced labor indicators.

“Despite the stance taken by CBP, we will redouble our efforts to engage with them … not only to demonstrate that our manufacturing operations are free from any practice of forced labor, but to reaffirm continued advances in social compliance” , said the head of YTY. executive Vikram Hora said in a statement late Saturday.

CBP said it identified seven of the ILO’s indicators during its investigation of YTY Group, including debt bondage, abusive working and living conditions, and excessive overtime.

The agency also determined on Friday that Malaysian palm oil producer Sime Darby Plantation used forced labor in its operations and that company assets were subject to seizure.

Starting Friday, the agency will hold goods made in Malaysia by YTY Group and its YTY Industry, Green Prospect and GP Lumut units at all US ports of entry.

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