U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced a ban on imports of bicycles made in Taiwan by Giant Manufacturing Co. Ltd., over claims that the company used forced labor.
According to a release from CBP, the ban went into effect on September 24, and includes all bicycles, parts and accessories manufactured by Giant in Taiwan. During an investigation into Giant's Taiwan facility, CBP said that it found the company had withheld worker wages, assigned excessive overtime, engaged in debt bondage and subjected employees to abusive conditions.
"Giant profited by imposing such abuse, resulting in goods produced below market value and undercutting American businesses by millions of dollars in unjustly earned profits," CBP said, with CBP Acting Executive Assistant Commissioner Susan Thomas adding that importers "have a responsibility to do their due diligence and know their supply chains."
Giant is the world's largest manufacturer of bikes, with products sold by large retailers like Walmart and smaller independent shops alike. The company has one factory in Taiwan and five in China, along with several others in Europe and Vietnam. In a statement to The New York Times, Giant responded to CBO's allegations by affirming that it is "committed to upholding human rights and labor protections."
