ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 1, 2022 /CSRwire/ - The Responsible Glove Alliance (RGA) today 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.”

About the Responsible Glove Alliance
The Responsible Glove Alliance (RGA) is a collaborative initiative established to prevent, identify and remediate forced labor in the rubber glove industry in Malaysia through recruitment transformation, collective influence and the application of due diligence with advanced standards, tools and programs. Membership is open to buyers and suppliers of rubber gloves from Malaysia that meet strict membership requirements and commitments. All members commit to core principles that recognize the importance of promoting responsible recruitment and employment practices in the rubber glove industry. The Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) is the Secretariat of the RGA. For more information on the RGA, visit ResponsibleGlove.org and contact info@responsibleglove.org.

Media Contact:
Jarrett Bens, Senior Director of Communications
Responsible Business Alliance
Phone: +1 571.858.5721
jbens@responsiblebusiness.org

Responsible Business Alliance

Responsible Business Alliance

The Responsible Business Alliance is the world’s largest industry coalition dedicated to corporate social responsibility in global supply chains.

About the RBA

The Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) is a nonprofit coalition of leading companies dedicated to improving social, environmental and ethical conditions in their global supply chains. The RBA has a Code of Conduct and a range of programs, training and assessment tools to support continual improvement. The RBA and its Responsible Minerals, Labor and Factory Initiatives have more than 380 members with combined annual revenues of greater than $7.7 trillion, directly employing over 21.5 million people, with products manufactured in more than 120 countries.

Vision & Mission

Vision: A global electronics industry that creates sustainable value for workers, the environment and business.

Mission: Members, suppliers and stakeholders collaborate to improve working and environmental conditions through leading standards and practices.

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