FGV committed to uphold labour standards, disappointed with CBP decision

Yesterday, CBP’s Office of Trade directed the issuance of a Withhold Release Order against FGV's products based on information obtained through a year-long investigation that revealed forced labour indicators as well as concerns of forced child labour.

FGV, in a statement today, said it has been taking concrete steps over the past several years in demonstrating its commitment to respect human rights and uphold labour standards.

“We are also a participating company in the Washington based Fair Labor Association (FLA), and we are currently implementing a long-term and comprehensive action plan under our affiliation to the FLA that comprises a number of initiatives to further strengthen various aspects of our labour practices,” it said.

FGV’s action plan for 2020 was adopted on March 31, 2020 in consultation with the FLA and various stakeholders, including civil society organisations.

“Despite the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced FGV to realign its priorities to ensure that necessary measures are taken to curb and combat the spread of COVID-19, FGV remained committed to implementing the action plan, and FGV believes that concrete progress has been made in the six months of implementation beginning April 2020,” it added.

FGV is confident that it is on the right track to accomplish the action items due to be completed by the end of 2020.

In the meantime, FGV said it will continue to engage with CBP to clear its name, and is determined to see through its commitment to respect human rights and uphold labour standards.