KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 20): The US allowed imports from Supermax Corp Bhd, after customs authorities lifted a ban imposed on the company since October 2021 for alleged forced labour.

In a statement on Tuesday, the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said effective immediately, the agency will allow imports of disposable gloves manufactured by Supermax Corp and its wholly owned subsidiaries to enter the US, provided they are otherwise in compliance with US laws.

The CBP on Oct 21, 2021, issued a withhold release order (WRO) against Supermax Corp and its wholly owned subsidiaries (Supermax Glove Manufacturing, Maxter Glove Manufacturing Sdn Bhd and Maxwell Glove Manufacturing Bhd).

CBP Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Commissioner Troy A Miller said the action underscores the ongoing impact of CBP’s enforcement efforts in driving remediation and eliminating forced labour from supply chains.

“Everyone is entitled to humane and dignified treatment in the workplace, no matter who they are or where they live, and that’s why this work matters,” said Miller.

CBP began enforcing the WRO against Supermax Corp and its wholly owned subsidiaries based on evidence reasonably indicating the presence of 10 of the 11 International Labour Organization indicators of forced labour.

In response to the WRO, the company demonstrated to CBP that it has taken steps to remediate the forced labour indicators identified in its supply chain.

Meanwhile, CBP’s Office of Trade's Executive Assistant Commissioner AnnMarie R Highsmith said the agency’s vigilance on this issue is showing the industry and the world that it is fully committed to elevating the ethical standard of goods entering the US and ending forced labour.

Thus far in fiscal year 2023, CBP has issued four modifications.

CBP said forced labour enforcement efforts have resulted in the improvement of living and working conditions for tens of thousands of workers, including the repayment of more than US$50 million (RM234.72 million) in withheld wages and recruitment fees used to trap workers in debt bondage.

Supermax Corp share price rose as much as seven sen or 8.64% to 88 sen apiece on the news. The counter closed at 85.5 sen, still up 4.5 sen or 5.56% for a market capitalisation of RM2.09 billion.

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