‘This is good, I have to be reprimanded and take action.’
Local rubber glove manufacturer Supermax, which has been banned from imports by the United States (US) Customs and Border Protection, is seen to have changed.
Companies that were prosecuted on allegations of forced labor practices and neglect of employee welfare last October now guarantee the setting of international compliance standards as promised in January.
According to Supermax's official statement, all employee hostel facilities have been completed following local and international standards, including providing canteens and dining areas, ATM machines and other facilities.
In addition, Supermax is also said to have set up a clearing fund to facilitate the payment of compensation to its eligible former foreign workers.
According to the company, the clearing fund will be overseen by Malaysia -based human rights consulting firms and non -governmental organizations (NGOs) as well as social justice experts for foreign workers.
He added that the first batch of payments to his former foreign workers had been completed.
In addition, the company has established a company employee committee that will act to link employees and management, in addition to providing a complaints channel that allows employees to voice concerns directly.
On the issue of forced labor practices, Supermax has set rules for leave management, salary calculation and issuance of salary slips for employees directly and indirectly.
In the meantime, Supermax said they are in the process of moving towards an ‘open door policy’ in the coming months including an open invitation to embassy representatives to visit their site and meet employees.
As of this writing, Supermax shares are down 1 sen at RM1.03 with a market capitalization of RM2.8 billion.
