The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has lifted a 17-month import ban on gloves from Malaysian rubber glove maker Smart Glove, adding that the company has addressed its exploitative labour practices.
Smart Glove in a statement said, “Effective April 26th, disposable gloves made by Smart Glove are now admissible in all US ports of entry.” Set up in 1995, Smart Glove makes gloves used in the medical and food industries.
The US had introduced sanctions in November 2021 on imports from Smart Glove and its group of companies over the alleged use of forced labour at its production facilities. The company has taken remediation measures, including repaying recruitment fees borne by migrant workers and improving workers’ living conditions, according to CBD.
In a recent statement, CBP said Smart Glove has taken various remediation measures, including repaying recruitment fees borne by migrant workers. Activists say the onerous fees result in debt bondage.
Smart Glove also improved workers’ living conditions, and implemented new worker-centred policies and procedures, the CBP said. Smart Glove also added it has implemented a “zero cost” recruitment policy, upgraded worker housing and created an anonymous reporting channel for workers to engage with management on any issues.
Malaysian companies, including some of the world’s major suppliers of palm oil and medical gloves, have come under increased scrutiny over suspected abuse of foreign workers, a significant part of the country’s manufacturing workforce.