KUALA LUMPUR – Saturday’s statement by Smart Glove in Malaysia was that it is opposed to forced labor and supports the well-being its workers. This comes after US authorities banned rubber glove producer Rubber Glove from imports due to alleged forced labour.

On Thursday, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a “Withhold Release Order” https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/us-bans-imports-fifth-malaysian-firm-15-months-over-alleged-forced-labour-2021-11-05 prohibiting imports from Smart Glove and its group of companies, citing what the CBP called reasonable evidence that indicates “Smart Glove production facilities utilise forced labour”.

Smart Glove, a Malaysian manufacturer of gloves that are used in medical and food industry, was fifth Malaysian business to face such a ban within 15 months.

Smart Glove stated in an emailed statement that it had reached out to CBP to get more details about the ban. It also indicated it was looking into ways to end the actions.

It stated that Smart Glove stood against forced labor and was committed to the well-being of all our employees.

Malaysian factories, which produce everything from palm oil and medical gloves to iPhone components, are under increased scrutiny due to allegations of abuse by foreign workers.

Smart Glove and its peers were also subject to similar U.S. actions for alleged labor abuses.

Supermax Corp, banned last month https://www.reuters.com/world/us-bars-malaysian-glove-maker-supermax-over-alleged-labour-abuses-2021-10-21, has said it will speed up a process it had begun in 2019 to meet International Labour Organisation standards on workers’ welfare.

CBP banned Top Glove, which is the largest manufacturer of latex gloves worldwide, in July. The ban was lifted last month https://www.reuters.com/business/malaysias-top-glove-says-cleared-resume-business-with-us-2021-09-10 after the company resolved the labour issues.