Rubber glove manufacturer Supermax Corp Bhd yesterday insisted that it complied with labor laws related to the treatment of foreign workers following reports that US authorities were investigating allegations of forced labor against the firm.
Last Saturday, The Edge Malaysia reported that the Customs and Border Protection (GST) Department was conducting an investigation into another glove manufacturing company, Hartalega Holdings and a unit in Supermax.
According to Supermax in a statement issued, the company and its subsidiaries are committed to combating forced labor and complying with labor laws.
Adding to the statement, Supermax said it had followed all legal procedures regarding the hiring of foreign workers.
"Existing policies and procedures, which are guided by local and international policies, are often reviewed to determine if there are gaps for improvement," the statement said.
In the meantime, Hartalega also stressed that it has complied with labor laws and regulations on the recruitment of foreign workers and efforts to combat forced labor are guided by local and international policies.
Several firms in the country are often accused of using foreign forced labor by U.S. authorities.
Last year, GST restricted imports from three of the country's firms to the US, namely Top Glove and two palm oil producers.
Yesterday, Reuters reported that US tire manufacturer Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co faced charges of non -payment of wages, ordering workers to work overtime and threats against foreign workers at its plant in Malaysia.
