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US bans Serbian copper imports over suspected forced labor
๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡ธ Serbia /Economy & Trade

US bans Serbian copper imports over suspected forced labor

From N1 Serbia · () Serbian

Translated from Serbian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • U.S. Customs and Border Protection has issued a Withhold Release Order (WRO) against copper products from Serbia Zijin Copper D.O.O. due to suspected forced labor.
  • The order, effective immediately, will halt all shipments of these copper products at U.S. entry points.
  • CBP cited evidence including worker statements, NGO reports, and media research indicating forced labor indicators at the Serbian company.

The United States has taken decisive action against Serbian mining company Serbia Zijin Copper D.O.O. (Ziฤ‘in Koper), issuing a Withhold Release Order (WRO) that prohibits the import of its copper and copper products. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) cited credible evidence suggesting the use of forced labor in the company's operations.

When CBP has evidence that imported merchandise is produced with forced labor, the agency detains those shipments via a WRO.

โ€” U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionExplaining the rationale and procedure behind the Withhold Release Order.

This immediate order means that all shipments of Ziฤ‘in Koper's copper products will be detained at U.S. ports of entry. The CBP stated that the WRO was issued based on violations of the U.S. law prohibiting the importation of goods produced by forced labor. "When CBP has evidence that imported merchandise is produced with forced labor, the agency detains those shipments via a WRO," the statement explained.

According to the CBP, the decision stems from an investigation that analyzed various forms of evidence. This included worker testimonies, photographs, focus group notes, text message screenshots, reports from non-governmental organizations, media coverage, and academic research. The agency highlighted six indicators of forced labor identified by the International Labour Organization, such as abuse of vulnerability, wage withholding, intimidation, restricted movement, retention of personal documents, and excessive overtime, as being present in the company's practices.

U.S. manufacturers face unfair competition when foreign companies cut costs by employing forced labor.

โ€” Brenda SmithExecutive Assistant Commissioner for CBP's Office of Trade, discussing the economic implications of forced labor.

Brenda Smith, Executive Assistant Commissioner for CBP's Office of Trade, emphasized that such actions protect both human rights and the economic security of the United States. She noted that U.S. manufacturers face unfair competition when foreign companies cut costs by employing forced labor. The CBP's enforcement of anti-forced labor laws aims to level the playing field and uphold international labor standards.

By enforcing laws against forced labor, CBP protects human rights as well as our country's economic security.

โ€” Brenda SmithExecutive Assistant Commissioner for CBP's Office of Trade, highlighting the dual purpose of the CBP's actions.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by N1 Serbia in Serbian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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