Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, said South Africa is a signatory to key International Labour Organisation conventions and has legislation in place that prohibits forced labour and provides mechanisms for enforcement.
South Africa is preparing to defend its labour and trade record after the United States identified the country among 60 economies accused of failing to adequately prohibit and enforce restrictions on imports produced through forced labour, a move that could pave the way for new tariffs on South African exports.
The findings, announced by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) under Section 301 of the US Trade Act of 1974, have triggered concern among trading partners as Washington considers imposing additional duties on imports from the affected economies.
The proposed measures form part of a sweeping US effort to combat forced labour in global supply chains, which American officials argue places US producers at a competitive disadvantage.
Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, on Thursday responded by noting that the USTR findings remain preliminary and are still subject to a public consultation and hearing process scheduled for July.
