MPs urge UK to block forced labour goods

Labour MPs have urged the UK government to introduce legislation similar to the U.S. Uyghur Forced Labour Prevention Act (UFLPA) to prevent products linked to forced labour in China’s Xinjiang region from entering the British market. This call reflects growing concerns over human rights abuses in the region, where Uyghur Muslims are reportedly subjected to forced labour practices, particularly in the textile and manufacturing sectors.

During a recent Westminster Hall debate on UK supply chains and forced labour concerns, Labour MPs Blair McDougall and Marie Rimmer emphasized the need for stronger legislation to ensure ethical sourcing. As members of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), they argued that a UK equivalent to the UFLPA would help prevent companies from inadvertently importing goods tied to forced labour, aligning UK trade practices with international human rights standards.

The UFLPA, enacted in the U.S. in 2021, imposes strict measures to block goods made with forced labour in Xinjiang. Labour MPs believe that a similar law in the UK would deter companies from sourcing products produced under unethical conditions and contribute to protecting Uyghur Muslims from exploitation in supply chains.