A series of statutory inspections have been conducted by the Peninsular Malaysia Labour Department on Supermax Corporation Bhd to ensure compliance with labor laws, according to the Human Resources Ministry.
The inspections covered various aspects including salary payment, adherence to working hours and overtime, compliance with service contracts, and provision of suitable accommodations by the company.
On September 20, the United States Customs and Border Protection Department (CBP) lifted the Withhold Release Order (WRO) imposed on Supermax and its three subsidiaries on October 21, 2021.
The ministry stated, “As a result of the inspections, the employer has implemented a remediation plan worth RM25.67 million, which involves 1,957 foreign workers.”
“Additionally, the department has held numerous engagement sessions with the employers to discuss the improvement measures that have been implemented and will be carried out by the company in relation to this matter,” it added.
In a statement on September 23, the ministry announced that the withdrawal of the WRO was a result of the company’s efforts in eradicating elements of forced labor identified by the US CBP.
The company has now been granted permission to resume exporting rubber gloves to the US market starting September 18.
The ministry further stated that Supermax’s continuous efforts, as well as the ministry’s enforcement actions through the labor department, played an instrumental role in convincing the US CBP to withdraw the WRO against Supermax and its subsidiaries.
The subsidiary companies affected by the WRO are Glove Manufacturing Sdn Bhd and Maxter Glove Manufacturing Sdn Bhd.
“Malaysia is greatly relieved by the withdrawal of this order and hopes it will create more investment opportunities for the country, while the companies continue to contribute to its economic growth,” the ministry commented.
Furthermore, the ministry emphasized that ongoing efforts and commitments are being strengthened through the implementation of the National Action Plan on Forced Labor (NAPFL), the ratification of Protocol 29 of the International Labor Organization (ILO), and amendments to labor laws.
The WRO had been imposed by the US CBP based on evidence indicating the presence of 10 out of 11 indicators of forced labor practices in the rubber glove production operations of the implicated company.
Some of the identified offenses included illegal wage deductions, inadequate accommodation facilities, and others.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
