Duval Times

U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) have introduced the No Funds for Forced Labor Act, which mandates the U.S. Secretary of Treasury to direct U.S. executive directors at international financial institutions to oppose projects that utilize forced labor, particularly in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR).

“Forced labor is a horrific practice witnessed worldwide. In China, the Chinese Communist Party continues with its grotesque campaign of genocide against Uyghurs and other minorities. We have a moral duty to ensure our nation isn’t tied to any purchases tainted with the forced labor of humans. As the author of the first piece of legislation on Uyghur human rights in the world, I remain committed to ensuring we do more to counter this modern-day slavery practice,” stated Senator Rubio.

Senator Merkley emphasized, “Our tax dollars should never inadvertently go toward projects using forced labor. This bipartisan bill builds off our Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act to ensure the United States is not complicit in this horrific human rights abuse. We need to send a strong message against slave labor wherever this evil appears.”

U.S. Representative Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) has introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The legislation specifically requires:

- The Treasury Secretary to instruct U.S. executive directors at international financial institutions to oppose loans for any project posing a significant risk of using forced labor or conducted by state-owned or heavily state-influenced entities, especially in XUAR.

- These institutions to explain how they vet projects for forced labor risks and outline actions taken to mitigate, track, and reverse those risks.

- A Treasury report within one year, and annually for five years thereafter, detailing any project approved by an international financial institution where forced labor could be used and efforts by executive directors at these institutions to persuade other countries against such projects.

For further information:

- June 2024: Rubio, Merkley Introduce Bill to Reauthorize Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act

- June 2024: Rubio, Coons, Moolenaar, Krishnamoorthi: MSCI Shouldn’t Attempt to Minimize Evidence of VW’s Uyghur Forced Labor

- August 2023: Rubio, Colleagues Demand Accountability for Importation of Products Tainted with Uyghur Forced Labor

- August 2023: Rubio, Colleagues Reintroduces Uyghur Policy Act