Top Glove resolves all ILO indicators of forced labour

KUALA LUMPUR: Top Glove Corp Bhd has announced that it has resolved all 11 International Labour Organization (ILO) indicators of forced labour.

It said in a filing with Bursa Malaysia that the resolution of the ILO indicators of forced labour has been verified by independent international UK consultant Impactt Ltd in a report dated April 22, 2021.

"While the Company is pleased to have resolved all the aforementioned ILO indicators of forced labour, the Company assures its stakeholders of its continued efforts to improve the welfare of its employees.

"Top Glove remains committed to be the best company that it can becomes, ensuring high quality welfare, health, safety, working conditions and living accommodation of its 21,000 strong workforce," it said.

Top Glove engaged Impactt in July 2020 to advise on measures for improving the company's labour policies and practices.

This came following a withhold release order issued by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on shipments from two of Top Glove's subsidiaries.

On March 29, the US CBP said in the Federal Register it had made a finding of forced labour in Top Glove's glove production processes and moved to seize its shipments of disposable gloves at all ports of entry.

The glove maker undertook remediation measures and said it had met six out of the 11 ILO indicators on April 15 as verified by Impactt and were working towards resolving the final five.

The indicators include the resolution of abusive working and living conditions as well as deception, debt bondage, retention of identity, physical and sexual violence, and intimidation.

Shares in Top Glove were up 11 sen or 1.92% a share to RM5.84 at midday on the back of 31.41 million units traded.