Forced labor is an egregious practice that generates an estimated US$150 billion in profits each year. Since 2017 pressure–including import restrictions under the U.S. Tariff Act–has been building on brands with business relationships tainted by forced labor, including those sourcing palm oil and rubber gloves from Malaysia, sugar from the Dominican Republic, cotton from Turkmenistan. Under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, passed under the Tariff Act, all goods imported from the Uyghur Region of Xinjiang China are presumed to have been made with forced labor and blocked from import.
Our Theory of Change
In a context of heightened regulatory action and investor expectations, bans on the importation of goods made with forced labor can be a key ingredient in combatting severe human and labor rights abuses in global supply chains.
The Business Case for Action
By identifying and remedying forced labor in their supply chains, companies can significantly reduce the degree of regulatory enforcement risk they face, while preserving their social license to operate.
Current Initiatives
Through a combination of dialogue, policy advocacy and letter writing, ICCR’s members are asking companies in their portfolios to commit to detailed supply chain mapping, and remediation any of forced labor found.
Our Impact
How ICCR is achieving meaningful strides in preventing the import of goods made with forced labor.
ICCR, the Investor Alliance for Human Rights and a number of institutional investors have endorsed a Call to Action, along with over 280 human rights, labor rights, and Uyghur organizations from three dozen countries, asking brands and retailers to make concrete commitments to exit the region.
Companies including Amazon, Apple, Canadian Solar, Caterpillar, Loblaw, Tesla, Texas Instruments, TJX and Walmart, pressed to take action on forced labor in their supply chains since 2022.