The Central Romana Corporation said Wednesday that it received “with great astonishment” the measure of the Office of Customs and Border Protection of the United States (CBP, for its acronym in English) to stop raw sugar and products at ports of entry. sugar-based products produced by the company.

The CBS relied on information “reasonably indicating the use of forced labor” against Central Romana workers, as well as the identification of at least five indicators by the International Labor Organization during an investigation.

Below is the full statement from Central Romana:

“Our company has received with great astonishment the public statement by the United States Customs and Border Protection officers, regarding the halt of shipments of raw sugar and sugar-based products produced by Central Romana Corporation, Ltd. .

The reasons behind this measure do not reflect the policies and practices of Central Romana, which for more than a century has been a benchmark in implementing social responsibility programs focused on health, education, housing and food within the reach of all our workers and their families. .

In recent decades we have invested millions of dollars to improve the working and living conditions of our employees in agricultural areas, guaranteeing decent wages and increased benefits, training and education workshops, as well as training in human rights and duties of our workers.

We hold our heads high because we know that for more than a century we have done the right thing, facing challenges with determination and consistently managing their resolution.

At Central Romana we firmly believe that progress is only worthwhile when it becomes well-being for all those who build it. This is how we have always acted and we will continue to do so.”

Related – United States halts shipments of raw sugar from Central Romana