US prioritises aluminium sector under Uyghur forced labour law, while EU urged to take stronger action

ANNA |
Updated: Jul 11, 2024 9:36 PM IST

New York (US), July 11 (ANI): The US authorities on Tuesday took a significant step by prioritising the aluminium sector under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. The move comes amid growing concerns over human rights abuses in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR). Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) has faced criticism for its perceived inaction on the issue, prompting Human Rights Watch (HRW) to call for tougher measures, particularly in relation to forced labour in the aluminium industry in Xinjiang.
The US decision to focus on aluminium production is closely aligned with HRW’s latest report, “Asleep at the Wheel,” published in February 2024. The report highlights the risks of sourcing aluminium from forced labour camps in Xinjiang, highlighting the sector’s key role in the production of car parts. HRW says the US move will force carmakers to prioritise human rights in their supply chains, a significant step forward in accountability.
In contrast, the EU has largely taken economic security measures, such as imposing tariffs on imported Chinese electric vehicles. However, with the imminent adoption of the Forced Labor Regulation (FLR), the EU has an opportunity to take a more comprehensive and rights-based approach in its dealings with the Chinese authorities.

Once passed, the FLR will ban EU consumers from buying goods linked to forced labor camps worldwide. The European Commission plans to create an online database that will identify specific geographic areas and sectors at risk of forced labor. This database is intended to serve as a key resource for companies, regulators, labor rights groups, and consumers.
HRW has stressed the importance of including the Xinjiang aluminium sector in the FLR database, arguing that such inclusion would have a significant impact on state-imposed forced labour practices in China. HRW has also called on the European Commission to expand the scope beyond aluminium to include 17 other industries identified by the Coalition to End Forced Labour in the Uyghur Region and HRW’s own investigations.
However, HRW also warns of potential retaliatory action by China in response to the adoption of the FLR, a growing concern among EU countries such as Germany that maintain strong economic ties with China. (ANI)