- On 23 June 2026, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued two Withhold Release Orders (WROs) against garments produced by Needle Craft Ltd. and Casual Wear Apparel LLC in Jordan. These are the fifth and sixth WROs issued in 2026.
- CBP identified seven ILO forced labour indicators: restriction of movement, physical and sexual violence, intimidation and threats, retention of identity documents, withholding of wages, abusive living and working conditions, and excessive overtime.
- CBP has not disclosed evidence in this case. However, Needle Craft Ltd., parent company of Casual Wear Apparel LLC, was included in a 2024 investigation by The i Paper (previously iNews) on Jordan’s garment sector, following the suicide of a migrant female Bangladeshi worker.
Key findings from The i Paper investigation
The i Paper identified multiple indicators of forced labour, including:
- Worker death: A Bangladeshi worker died by suicide after 15 days’ wages were deducted in a single month for failing to meet production targets. The investigation also reported sexual harassment and humiliation by a supervisor.
- Abuse of vulnerability: The workforce consisted largely of Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan migrant workers, who were reported to be particularly vulnerable to exploitation because of their dependence on employers for their legal status, accommodation and employment.
- Deception during recruitment: Workers reportedly received only around half of the income they had been promised after deductions for accommodation and food.
- Restriction of movement: Workers alleged that accommodation doors were locked at night, restricting their ability to leave.
- Physical and sexual violence: Female workers alleged they were solicited for sex by staff, forced to strip in front of managers and subjected to physical abuse. In one case, a worker was reportedly sent back to Sri Lanka after becoming pregnant by a male staff member.
- Intimidation and threats: Two workers who reported sexual harassment to the police were allegedly dismissed. Workers also described dehumanising treatment, including shouting, swearing and humiliation by supervisors.
- Retention of identity documents: Passports, employment contracts and other identity documents were reportedly withheld until workers had completed three years of employment.
- Withholding of wages: The investigation alleged unpaid overtime and deductions from wages for failing to meet production targets.
- Excessive overtime: Workers reportedly undertook frequent 16-hour shifts, worked seven days a week with inadequate breaks and received only one rest day per month.