US turns trade lens on forced labour
The United States has launched an investigation into whether 60 countries, including Bangladesh, have taken sufficient measures to prevent the use of forced labour in the production of goods.
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) disclosed the development in a press release issued on Thursday.
Earlier, on Wednesday, the United States initiated a separate investigation against 16 countries, including Bangladesh, to examine whether excess capacity and overproduction exist in their manufacturing sectors.
According to the USTR statement, the new investigation will be conducted under Section 301(b) of the US Trade Act of 1974.
The probe will examine whether the laws, policies and their enforcement in the countries concerned are reasonable or discriminatory when it comes to banning the import of goods produced with forced labour.
The investigation will also assess whether such policies or practices create a burden or restriction on US commerce.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said that despite an international consensus against forced labour, governments have often failed to take adequate steps to prohibit the entry of goods produced with forced labour into their markets and to enforce such measures effectively.
Greer added: “Through this investigation, we will determine whether foreign governments have taken sufficient measures to ban imports of goods made with forced labour and examine the impact of these unethical practices
on American workers and businesses.”
The countries subject to the investigation include Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Australia, the Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, the European Union (EU), Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hong Kong (China), India, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Libya, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Peru, the Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the United Kingdom, Uruguay, Venezuela and Vietnam.
The statement noted that under Section 301 of the Trade Act, the United States may take responsive measures if the policies or actions of a foreign government are deemed unreasonable or discriminatory and burden or restrict US commerce.
Under Section 302(b) of the Trade Act, the Office of the US Trade Representative may initiate such investigations on its own initiative.
The probe has been launched following consultations with the Section 301 Committee and relevant advisory committees.
USTR said that after initiating the investigation, the United States has sought formal consultations with the governments concerned.
Requests for discussions have already been sent to the governments of the listed countries.
A public hearing on the investigation is scheduled to be held on April 28.
Individuals or organisations wishing to submit comments, participate in the hearing, or provide summaries of testimony must file their written submissions and applications by April 15.
