US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers will stop shipments of raw sugar and sugar-based products produced in the Dominican Republic by Central Romana Corporation.
The measure goes into effect from this same Wednesday, November 23.
"CBP issued a WRO against Central Romana based on information reasonably indicating the use of forced labor against their workers. CBP identified at least five of the International Labor Organization’s indicators of forced labor during its investigation, namely abuse of vulnerability, isolation, wage withholding, abusive working and living conditions, and excessive overtime."says a statement from the entity, published on its website.
The institution indicates that this is the most recent action the United States has taken to address forced labor and other abuses. against human rights all over the world. In September 2022, the US Department of Labor identified sugarcane from the Dominican Republic on its List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor, and the US Department of State placed the Dominican Republic on its level 2 list in its Trafficking In Persons Report, issued in July 2022.
“This arrest warrant demonstrates CBP’s commitment to protecting human rights and international labor standards and promoting a fair and competitive global marketplace,” said CBP Acting Commissioner Troy Miller, quoted in the aforementioned press release.
“The agency will continue to set a high global standard by aggressively investigating allegations of forced labor in US supply chains and keeping implicated merchandise out of the country.”
The statement published by the entity indicates that in the September 2022 report entitled “Global Estimates of Modern Slavery: Forced Labor and Forced Marriage”, the International Labor Organization estimates that almost 28 million workers suffer forced labor conditions worldwide. Foreign companies exploit forced labor to sell goods below market value.
"It also hurts law-abiding businesses, threatens American jobs, and exposes consumers to inadvertently supporting unethical business practices. The scourge of human trafficking exposes vulnerable populations to inhumane working conditions such as physical and sexual violence, isolation, restriction of movement, wage withholding, excessive overtime, and more."He says.
“CBP continues to strengthen the international standard to ensure that goods manufactured with forced labor do not enter the commerce of the United States,” said AnnMarie R. Highsmith, Executive Assistant Commissioner for CBP’s Office of Commerce. “Manufacturers like Central Romana, who do not comply with our laws, will face consequences as we eliminate this inhumane practice of US supply chains.
Under title 19 section 1307 of the federal laws (19 USC 1307), the importation of merchandise produced, in whole or in part, by convict labor, forced labor, and/or contract labor, including forced or contract child labor, is prohibited. CBP stops shipments of merchandise suspected of being imported in violation of this statute. Importers of detained shipments will have the opportunity to export the merchandise or demonstrate that the merchandise was not produced with forced labor.
OFFICIAL RELEASE
The office of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. issues a Hold Release Order on Central Romana Corporation Limited
The agency will halt imports of raw sugar and sugar-based products produced by Central Romana Corporation Limited
WASHINGTON — Beginning November 23, 2022, staff at U.S. Customs and Border Protection. (CBP) will detain raw sugar and sugar-based products produced in the Dominican Republic by Central Romana Corporation Limited (Central Romana) at all US ports of entry.
CBP issued a Hold Release Order (WRO) against Central Romana based on information that reasonably indicates the use of forced labor in its operations. CBP identified 5 of the 11 International Labor Organization indicators of forced labor during its investigation: abuse of vulnerability, isolation, wage withholding, abusive working and living conditions, and excessive overtime.
“This Detainer Release Order demonstrates the commitment of US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to protecting human rights and international labor standards and promoting a fair and competitive global marketplace,” the commissioner said. Acting CBP Troy Miller. “The agency will continue to set a high global standard by aggressively investigating the complaints forced labor in US supply chains and keeping contaminated merchandise out of the United States.”
In its September 2022 report titled “Global Estimates of Modern Slavery: Forced Labor and Forced Marriage,” the International Labor Organization estimates that nearly 28 million workers experience forced labor conditions around the world. Foreign companies exploit forced labor to sell goods below market value. It also hurts law-abiding businesses, threatens American jobs, and exposes consumers to inadvertently supporting unethical business practices. The scourge of human trafficking exposes vulnerable populations to inhumane working conditions such as physical and sexual violence, isolation, restriction of movement, wage withholding, excessive overtime, and more.
“CBP continues to set the international standard for ensuring that goods manufactured with forced labor do not enter the US tradesaid AnnMarie R. Highsmith, deputy executive commissioner for CBP’s Office of Commerce. “Manufacturers like Central Romana, who break our laws, will face consequences as we remove these inhumane practices from US supply chains.”
This Hold Release Order (WRO) on Central Romana is the latest action the United States has taken to address forced labor and other human rights abuses around the world. In September 2022, the US Department of Labor identified sugarcane from the Dominican Republic on its List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor, and the US Department of State placed the Dominican Republic on its Tier 2 list in its July 2022 Trafficking in Persons Report. With this WRO, CBP now oversees the enforcement of 55 WROs and 9 Findings.
Federal statute 19 USC 1307 prohibits the importation of goods produced, in whole or in part, by convict labor, forced labor, and/or unpaid labor, including forced or unpaid child labor. CBP detains shipments of merchandise suspected of being imported in violation of this statute. importers of Detained shipments can export their shipments or try to prove that the merchandise was not produced with forced labor.
Any person or organization that has reason to believe that merchandise produced with the use of forced labor is being, or is likely to be, imported into the United States may report detailed allegations by contacting CBP through the Trade Violation Reporting System. Online or by calling 1-800-BE-ALERT.
Follow CBP Trade Office on Twitter @CBPTradeGov.
-CBP-
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the comprehensive management, control, and protection of our nation’s borders, combining customs, immigration, border security, and agricultural protection in and between official ports of entry.
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