MARGMA President Dr. Supramaniam, said that it was ingenious of The US Customs and Borders Protection (US CBP) to meet up with the association for a lively and rewarding discussion recently.
He added that it was a very informative and yet extremely fair exchange of views with each other and it was further agreed that a more regular engagement, like on a quarterly basis be adopted to further develop clear respect and understanding of both parties’ role in the governance of labour issues.
The US CBP was well represented by John P. Leonard, Deputy Executive Assistant Commissioner at the US Department of Homeland Security and Eric Choy, the Acting Executive Director for Trade Remedy Law Enforcement, US CBP and Don Anderson, the US CBP Attaché in Singapore.
Dr. Supramaniam commented that the Malaysian Rubber Glove Industry would like to work with US CBP like partners, and it is truly committed to total compliance and strives to be among the first industry in the region to have Social Compliance as the industry-unique selling proposition. He emphasized that MARGMA has been spearheading the efforts since 2018 when MARGMA advocated a zero debt policy and that it has also initiated remedial actions be undertaken by each member to dislodge itself from the stigma of forced labour, using the ILO 11 indicators as the guiding principle. The industry is definitely moving in the right direction and that would certainly be a model industry to emulate in the governance of an equitable workforce.
In welcoming the move, the US team assured that US CBP does not intend to act unilaterally without assuming the need to be correct and getting the allegations and accusations reasonably corroborated.
MARGMA has formed an ESG Unit and task force to actively educate and sensitize members and its employees on the 11 ILO indicators of forced labour. This vigorous exercise is done via a partnership with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), and the US, UK , and EU embassies/high commissions in Malaysia.
To further augment global surveillance, the association members have all agreed to be registered with Supplier Ethical Data Exchange (SEDEX) and undergo the Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA). SMETA’s measurement criteria are in sync with the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) Base Code, which in turn is based on both international standards and ILO conventions. SMETA focuses on the pillars of labour, health, safety and environment to determine good business ethics. MARGMA Code of Conduct on social compliance for all members has been enhanced with inputs and guidance from ILO.
MARGMA is also collaborating with the International Organization for Migration (IoM), a United Nations related organization, to facilitate ethical recruitment practices amongst recruitment agents. With transparent G to G agency fees and ethical recruitment in place, the unscrupulous agents will be weeded out.
