Taipei, Taiwan — 

According to a recent study, certain international car companies are implementing less stringent human rights and ethical sourcing practices in their partnerships in China as a result of pressure from the Chinese government.

The lax standards increase the risk of exposing supply chains to forced labor from China’s Xinjiang Autonomous Region, where more than 1 million Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities have been subject to mass internment and other forms of persecution.

The organization Human Rights Watch released a report called “Asleep at the Wheel” which revealed that prominent car companies such as Volkswagen, Tesla, General Motors, and Toyota have not taken sufficient measures to prevent the use of forced Uyghur labor in their aluminum supply chain. This material is crucial for making automotive parts.

Jim Wormington, a senior researcher at HRW and the author of the report, explained that in the aluminum supply chain for car production, there are many intermediaries between the car company and the aluminum producer. This creates a lack of transparency that ultimately benefits the car industry as they are able to purchase materials without knowledge of their origin or potential risks in regions like Xinjiang. Wormington shared this information with VOA during a phone conversation.

In the past few years, various global inquiries have uncovered proof of coerced labor in Xinjiang. Certain studies suggest that the supply chains of specific sectors, such as solar panel and automotive industries, could potentially involve forced labor from Xinjiang.

According to HRW, approximately 15% of China’s aluminum production comes from Xinjiang. Evidence from Chinese state media, company reports, and government statements suggests that aluminum producers in this region are involved in labor transfers.

According to the report, the connection between Xinjiang, the aluminum industry, and forced labor is a result of labor transfer programs supported by the Chinese government. These programs force Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslim communities to work in various industries in Xinjiang and other parts of China. Evidence from Chinese government sources indicates that this includes the participation of aluminum smelters in Xinjiang.

The report stated that due to the practice of mixing aluminum from Xinjiang with other metals in other regions of China, it is challenging to accurately determine the amount of aluminum sourced from Xinjiang. Additionally, the involvement of commodities traders in the buying and selling of aluminum ingots from Xinjiang further complicates the tracing of supply chains between Xinjiang and other areas.

According to previous research and investigations, at least three aluminum producers or smelters in Xinjiang, namely Xinjiang East Hope Nonferrous Metals, Tianshan Aluminum, and Xinfa Group Xinjiang, have been revealed to either receive labor transfers targeting Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities or have close ties to Xinjiang Production Construction Corps. This organization is heavily involved in the suppression of Uyghurs in Xinjiang.

The Chinese Embassy in Washington has denied allegations of supporting forced labor in Xinjiang, stating that the claims are completely false and a deliberate attempt to defame China.

A representative from the embassy stated to VOA in a written statement that the workers’ rights of individuals in Xinjiang are firmly protected. They believe that the false claims being made only serve to show that certain individuals in the United States are using human rights as a means to harm China, disrupt global trade regulations, and undermine the stability of international manufacturing and supply networks.

Although Beijing is trying to counter allegations about forced labor in Xinjiang, Human Rights Watch argues that car companies around the world have a duty to recognize, prevent, and address any instances of forced labor in their supply chains, in accordance with UN regulations.

Several automobile manufacturers, such as Volkswagen and Tesla, informed HRW that they have limited capability to deal with the supply chain connections of their Chinese joint ventures to Xinjiang.

Volkswagen has a 50% stake in a joint venture with Chinese automaker SAIC in China. They have stated that they cannot be held accountable for human rights violations in the supply chain of this venture, as Germany’s supply chain law applies only to subsidiaries where the company has significant control.

When questioned about the possible connections between their Chinese partnership and an aluminum company in Xinjiang, Volkswagen acknowledged that they lack transparency regarding the supplier relationships of their joint ventures in China.

Although audits in China can be challenging and there may be concerns about potential retribution from the Chinese government, HRW’s Wormington suggests that car manufacturers can still request more information about their supply chain from Chinese suppliers.

“Some automobile manufacturers are concerned about potential repercussions, as Chinese carmakers are seeking entry into international markets. In response, global carmakers may request their suppliers to gather additional details about their supply chain,” he explained to VOA. “Although there are measures that carmakers can take, it becomes exceedingly challenging when they are unable to inquire about human rights concerns with their suppliers.”

Certain international locations, such as the US and EU, have implemented or are in the process of implementing legislation mandating companies to reveal their supply chains and acknowledge any possible ties to human rights violations. Additionally, certain authorities have enforced limitations on imports to hinder the entry of products associated with forced labor into their territories.

Despite attempts made by governing bodies to protect supply chains from potential instances of forced labor in Xinjiang, certain experts believe that companies should directly communicate their apprehensions to the Chinese government.

William Nee, the research and advocacy coordinator at Chinese Human Rights Defenders, a U.S.-based activist network, stated in a phone conversation that in a perfect scenario, businesses would communicate directly with the Chinese government about the issue of forced labor in their supply chains and allow their staff to conduct due diligence without restrictions.

According to Yalkun Uluyol, a researcher from Sheffield Hallam University, companies should refrain from using any products made in the Uyghur region, whether directly or indirectly, to guarantee that their goods are not produced through forced labor of the Uyghur people.

In a written reply to VOA, he suggested that companies should publicly commit to this policy.

Source: voanews.com