US agency under scrutiny after watchdog warns of forced labor in Dominican Republic
A watchdog report said forced labor persists on sugarcane fields, and Wyden asked CBP for records on why it lifted the ban.
- Oregon Democrat Sen. Ron Wyden sent a letter Thursday to Customs and Border Protection requesting records on the reversal of a sugar import ban from the Dominican Republic.
- In 2022, Customs and Border Protection banned imports from Central Romana Corporation, Ltd. citing worker isolation and wage withholding, but the Trump administration lifted the ban last year.
- Investigations spanning three years culminated in a report Tuesday from the Corporate Accountability Lab, which warned that forced labor persists on sugarcane fields in the Dominican Republic.
- Wyden wrote that the agency appears "To have abruptly abandoned its own established administrative procedures," arguing that circumventing trade processes for politically connected corporations undermines policy integrity.
- Customs and Border Protection acknowledged the request for records Thursday but has not yet provided comment regarding the reversal of the ban or forced labor allegations.
23 Articles
23 Articles
Corporate human rights watchdog finds forced labor persists on Dominican Republic plantations
The human rights watchdog Corporate Accountability Lab (CAL) released a report on Tuesday finding that forced labor persists on sugarcane plantations in the Dominican Republic (DR). CAL called for the US to impose an import ban in response to the findings. The alleged labor abuses include issues concerning both working and living conditions. Workers reported payment of low and incorrect wages, lack of potable water during the workday, lack of sa…
U.S. agency under scrutiny after watchdog warns of forced labor in Dominican Republic
U.S. Customs and Border Protection faced scrutiny Thursday after a watchdog group warned that forced labor persists on sugarcane fields in the Dominican Republic, which exports large amounts of sugar and other products to the U.S.
Associated Press News
US agency under scrutiny after watchdog warns of forced labor in Dominican Republic
U.S. Customs and Border Protection faces criticism after a watchdog group warns that forced labor persists on sugarcane fields in the Dominican Republic.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office (CBP) faced questions on Thursday after a surveillance group warned that forced labour persists in sugar cane fields in the Dominican Republic, which exports large quantities of sugar and other products to the United States.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 41% of the sources lean Left, 41% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
