Responsible Glove Alliance launches to protect industry workers in Malaysia

Alexandria, VI – The Responsible Glove Alliance (RGA) announced its initial launch to help ensure the rights and dignity of workers vulnerable to forced labor in Malaysia’s rubber glove industry are consistently respected and promoted through responsible recruitment and employment practices.

Malaysia is the world’s largest producer of rubber gloves, and the industry relies heavily on foreign migrant labor. The RGA will work to prevent, identify and remediate forced labor through recruitment transformation, collective influence and the application of due diligence with advanced standards, tools and programs. Membership in the RGA includes buyers and suppliers of rubber gloves from Malaysia that agree to strict membership requirements and commitments. All RGA members commit to core principles including enforcing the Freely Chosen Employment and other relevant provisions of the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) Code of Conduct; undertaking continuous improvement measures, such as verified risk assessments, advanced forced labor audits and corrective actions; cascading these commitments within their supply chains; and fostering transparency and accountability through public reporting and disclosure. Buyers have an additional set of requirements specific to their business types, as do suppliers.

RGA member companies at launch include Ansell Limited; Cardinal Health; Hartalega Holdings Berhad; Henry Schein, Inc; Kimberly-Clark Corporation; Kossan Rubber Industries Berhad; and Medline Industries, LP.

As Secretariat, the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) will support the RGA with strategic oversight and direction, as well as operational and administrative capabilities. ELEVATE will act as a key service provider during the initial phases of the program.

“What began as individual company efforts on responsible business conduct in Malaysia has evolved into a coalition of like-minded member companies dedicated to advancing corporate responsibility in their supply chains,” said Rob Lederer, CEO of the Responsible Business Alliance. “We look forward to working with RGA member companies, providing RBA tools and resources that will enable them to have a meaningful, positive impact on workers in their industry.”