Nonprofits Ask CBP to Block Import of Palm Oil Harvested With Forced Labor
Nonprofit groups, led by the International Labor Rights Forum, have filed a formal complaint with CBP asking that it block imports of palm oil from Malaysian plantations run by FGV, because the product is harvested with forced labor. The complaint, filed Aug. 15, says that migrant laborers are recruited in Indonesia, Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Nepal and the Philippines, and after arriving, are charged large fees for the jobs that turn them into indentured servants for months. The groups, which include SumofUs and Rainforest Action Network, also say that the companies seize the workers' passports so they cannot leave.
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The complaint says that Procter & Gamble imported more than 14 million pounds of palm oil from FGV, and that 6 million pounds of palm oil and palm derivatives were imported by Clasen Quality Chocolate and B&H Bakery Distribution.
According to Reuters, which first reported the complaint, FGV said it has corrected the problems identified by the nonprofits, but said, “we are always grateful when stakeholders engage with us or suggest refinements that will benefit everyone. FGV is committed to ethical and responsible development.”