Senators Call for More Transparency in Forced Labor Petitioning Process
Sens. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, and Ron Wyden, D-Ore., would like more transparency in the process for petitioning investigations on goods suspected of being made with child or forced labor, they told Obama administration officials during a June 14 meeting. Such transparency is needed “so petitions are acknowledged and petitioners are informed of whether an investigation will be launched,” a Brown press release said (here). “The key to continuing our early success and making this prohibition as effective as possible is bringing together U.S. trade enforcers, human rights organizations, and the business community so that everyone is working in concert," said Wyden.
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During the meeting with the officials, including CBP Commissioner Gil Kerlikowske, Brown and Wyden also called on CBP to "act within its authority and self-initiate investigations when they have reason to believe a product has been made with forced labor." Customs reauthorization "eliminated an exemption in U.S. law that allows the import of certain products made with forced or child labor if there is not sufficient supply to meet domestic demand," the lawmakers said. CBP is working to resolve some uncertainties within industry over import bans related to forced labor (see 1606090019).
The meeting was convened to boost communication among CBP, the Labor Department and ICE, as well as outside organizations, said the lawmakers. “Everyone at today’s meeting is committed to combating forced labor, and that commitment will help us meaningfully implement this law," said Brown. "I’m hopeful today’s dialogue will spur improved collaboration between the Administration and outside groups and lead to ongoing conversations about our efforts to stop the importation of products produced by slave labor.” Attendees included Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center Director Bruce Foucart; Department of Labor Office of Child Labor, Forced Labor and Human Trafficking Director Marcia Eugenio; International Labor Rights Forum Executive Director Judy Gearhart; and Annick Febrey, Senior Associate at Human Rights First.