On August 8, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it had blacklisted five more Chinese companies for their involvement in forced labor practices involving the Uygur ethnic group.
The targeted firms include Hong Kong-based Rare Earth Magnesium Technology Group Holdings and its parent company, Century Sunshine Group Holdings, which produce magnesium products. Also included is Xinjiang Habahe Ashele Copper Corporation, a subsidiary of Zijin Mining Group. These companies are now banned from exporting their products to the U.S.
U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas emphasized the U.S.’s commitment to enforcing Uygur forced labor laws and combating the exploitation of Uygurs and other minority groups. This decision brings the total number of companies banned under the Uygur Forced Labour Prevention Act to 73.
Since implementing the Uygur Forced Labour Prevention Act in June 2021, the U.S. has closely monitored and restricted products from sectors such as cotton, apparel, agriculture, solar energy, and electronics, ensuring that products linked to forced labor do not enter the U.S.
Robert Silvers, Chair of the Forced Labour Enforcement Task Force (FLETF) and Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security, urged companies to carefully examine their supply chains and conduct responsible business practices. By blacklisting five more companies, he reiterated their determination to eliminate forced labor from supply chains.
Source: South China Morning Post