From Joanna Ewart-James, Freedom United 

Did you know that there is a high risk that palm oil linked to forced labor and environmental destruction could end up on supermarket shelves, making its way into everything from shampoo to ice cream?

But consumers don’t have to accept this as business as usual —we can fight back.

We recently reported that U.S. Customs blocked the import of five goods produced with forced labor,[2] including medical rubber gloves from Malaysia, which triggered international calls for action.[3]

Blocking imports of goods sends a powerful message to retailers, buyers and suppliers that we expect goods produced in clean supply chains and in decent working conditions. As consumers, we can stand up for the rights of workers on palm oil plantations.

Our partners, International Labor Rights Forum, Rainforest Action Network, and SumOfUs recently filed a formal complaint with US Customs and Border Protection over forced labor in the production of FGV palm oil.[4]

This now means US government must decide if it will block imports of FGV palm oil, and your voice can help show public support for this move. If the US acts to block imports, this will spur other countries into action to join our call, making clear that companies must act to ensure goods we buy are not made with forced labor.

Independent audits of their Malaysian plantations uncovered severe red flag indicators of forced labor — including passport retention, unfair termination clauses, and debt bondage — prompting suspension of FGV’s membership in the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil, an industry certification-body, last year.

[1] https://www.foodnavigator.com/Article/2018/11/30/RSPO-suspends-FGV-palm-oil-mill-and-four-plantations-over-labour-rights-abuses
[2] https://www.freedomunited.org/news/in-rare-move-us-blocks-imports-of-goods-linked-to-forced-labor/
[3] https://www.business-humanrights.org/en/malaysia-medical-and-rubber-glove-manufacturers-accused-of-labour-abuses#c180883
[4] By law, under the Tariff Act of 1930, US Customs is required to deny entry to goods if there is reasonable cause to believe they contain materials made with forced labor.

TO ACT GO TO: https://www.freedomunited.org/advocate/blocktaintedpalmoil/?trk_msg=1B1MU5KQNJBKHCKII0G7T5RTHC&trk_contact=037FSGUJ91I19DOFIHRSCHO86K&trk_sid=PTESNN12L2BGROJERFDBHAUK50&utm_source=Listrak&utm_medium=email&utm_term=Act+now!&utm_campaign=FU-24Oct2019_US+Customs+Palm+Oil+ACTIVE&utm_content=FU-24Oct2019_US+Customs+Palm+Oil+ACTIVE