US Authorities to Block Sugar Imports from Dominican Republic’s Central Romana Over Forced Labor Allegations
Effective Wednesday, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will detain raw sugar and sugar-based products from Central Romana, the Dominican Republic’s largest sugar producer, at all US ports of entry. The decision follows concerns over “inhumane practices” and suspicions of forced labor within the company’s operations, as stated by CBP in a recent announcement.
CBP’s decision is based on evidence indicating the potential use of forced labor at Central Romana, citing five indicators identified during their investigation: abuse of vulnerability, isolation, wage withholding, abusive working and living conditions, and excessive overtime.
In response, Central Romana expressed “great concern” over the decision, emphasizing that it does not align with their corporate policies and practices. The company highlighted substantial investments aimed at improving living and working conditions, ensuring fair wages, and providing educational and training opportunities.
Established in 1912, Central Romana operates in various sectors beyond sugar production, including real estate, airport and port operations, and meat and dairy production, according to its website.
For several years, US authorities have conducted investigations into labor conditions within the Dominican Republic’s sugar industry. Despite significant strides by the country’s Ministry of Labor and sugar companies, ongoing concerns persist regarding hazardous work environments, inadequate wage and hour verification, substandard living conditions, precarious legal status of workers, and other possible violations of labor rights, as outlined in a statement by the US Department of Labor on September 13.
In the same month, the department included sugarcane from the Dominican Republic on its list of goods produced through child labor or forced labor.
CBP Acting Commissioner Troy Miller highlighted that Wednesday’s directive underscores CBP’s dedication to upholding human rights and international labor norms, and fostering a just and competitive global economy.
Historically, the Caribbean nation’s sugar sector has heavily depended on labor from neighboring Haiti. In response to increasing xenophobia, the Dominican Republic has intensified efforts to deport undocumented Haitian migrants in recent years.
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