Human rights advocates raise concerns that Milwaukee Tool gloves are made with forced labour in a Chinese prison; incl. co. responses
After his release from prison in April 2022, Taiwanese activist Li Ming-che, said that he was subjected to forced labour while at Chishan prison in China during which he made gloves with the brand name Milwaukee Tool for export to the United States.
Mindy Shi Minglei, wife of Chinese human rights defender Cheng Yuan who is currently imprisoned at Chishan prison, is publicly calling on Milwaukee Tool to cease production at the prison and recall all products produced there. Cheng Yuan is the founder of the NGO Changsha Funeng and has advocated for respect for human rights in China, including education, employment, and health care rights for people affected by Hepatitis B and HIV. He also promoted the United Nations anti-torture convention and other United Nations conventions in China.
Mindy Shi Minglei is also calling on Home Depot, Amazon, and Walmart to immediately cease sales of Milwaukee Tool gloves.
In December 2022, we invited Milwaukee Tool, Home Depot, Amazon, and Walmart to respond. Milwaukee Tool, Home Deport, and Amazon responded; their responses are available below. Walmart did not send a response.
In July 2023, Senator Jeff Merkley (D., Ore.), and Representative Chris Smith (R., N.J.) sent a letter to Milwaukee Tool Group President Steve Richman questioning the company's oversight of its supply chain and asking it to turn over information related to any internal investigations on its products’ links to prison labor.