Rubber gloves entering Australia from Malaysia could be linked to forced labour, with US restricting imports

Rubber gloves used in Australia's fight against coronavirus could be produced by slave labour, corporate watchdogs warn, after the United States banned imports of products from the world's largest manufacturer. Key points: The pandemic has seen a huge boost in demand for rubber gloves from Malaysia, which is the world's largest producer Australian journalists facing jail in Malaysia were investigating mistreatment of migrant workers Observers say companies in Australia's healthcare sector are among the worst when it comes to supply chain transparency Malaysia's Top Glove, which is estimated to produce one in five gloves globally, had a detention order imposed on its products by US Customs and Border Protection on July 15. In a statement responding to the detention order, Top Glove said it had "already resolved" alleged labour violations against migrant workers at its facilities. Finnish Member of European Parliament Heidi Hautala and six other MEPs wrote to the EU's Commissioner for Trade in late May over "systemic and documented forced labour concerns" in Malaysia's glove-making industry. Nevertheless, a spokesperson for the Australian Border Force told the ABC: "The Government is concerned by allegations of modern slavery relating to the manufacture of personal protective equipment, including rubber gloves."