FLA joined multiple human rights organizations in calling on the G7 countries to prioritize forced labor and human trafficking in their commitments. Specifically, the groups asked the G7 countries to take action with respect to the state-imposed forced labor in Xinjiang. Government action and attention to the human rights abuses in Xinjiang that lead to forced labor are key to remediation. Support from the FLA for G7 action helps address the root cause and hopefully will lead to a long-term solution.

The Fair Labor Association (FLA) board of directors approved the application of FGV Holdings Berhad (FGV) to become a Participating Company in the FLA in October 2019. The FLA affiliation illustrated interest by FGV, a major industry supplier of palm oil and palm kernel oil, to address systemic labor issues in its palm oil supply chain.

Remarks as prepared for delivery by Shelly Heald Han, Fair Labor Association, at Global Supply Chains, Forced Labor, and the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Roundtable of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China

November 6, 2018 – Malaysia and Indonesia are leading producers of palm oil, together accounting for 86 percent of global production and employing nearly 3.5 million workers, largely migrants from poorer neighbouring regions and countries.

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – October 22, 2018 – Today, 123 apparel and footwear companies signed the new “AAFA/FLA Apparel & Footwear Industry Commitment to Responsible Recruitment,” reflecting the industry’s commitment to the fair treatment of workers in the global apparel, footwear, and travel goods supply chain.