KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 18): Top Glove Corp Bhd today slammed recent reports by the Canadian Broadcasting Corp (CBC) about unsuitable working conditions at its factories as misleading and damaging, saying they did not include remedial actions it had taken to address the issues highlighted.

In a statement, the rubber glove manufacturer said the allegations raised by CBC in its broadcasts and reports, as well as the way in which they were presented, suggested a breach in existing policies that it currently has in place.

“The company states that CBC’s reporting intentionally downplays or excludes altogether, the most current remedial actions which Top Glove has taken on the issues highlighted in its reporting to meaningfully address these allegations, which include Top Glove’s commitment to combating forced labour and its current implementation of robust policies to protect the rights of its workers.

"We are extremely disappointed that our remedial actions were not comprehensively published and fairly represented in the main reporting video, as they should rightfully be,” Top Glove said.

It added that debt bondage and other related issues that it deems to have been wrongly reported by the CBC, have no place in its business operations.

Top Glove reiterated that it does so by ensuring that appropriate decision-making across all levels of its operations is evaluated by its management and directors.

As an added measure, Top Glove said it conducts assessments to identify gaps and potential risk within its operations and supply chains, as well as developing mitigation plans, and providing remedial actions on areas where its business and operations do not meet its workers' rights criteria.

“Top Glove reiterates that the health and safety of our employees is the Company’s top priority. As the Company continues to produce high-quality medical gloves to protect medical practitioners and frontliners across the world, we are dedicated to adhering to stringent measures to safeguard our employees, as well as the communities we serve,” it concluded.

On Friday, the CBC published videos and articles detailing what it termed as "appalling" working conditions at Top Glove’s factories. The reports made use of hidden camera footage — reportedly filmed using a camera smuggled into the premise with the help of a Top Glove employee — which CBC said showed the unsafe working and poor living conditions of Top Glove's employees.

Shares in Top Glove finished 1.25% or eight sen lower at RM6.34 today, valuing it at RM52 billion. It saw 12.88 million shares done.