U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a Withhold Release Order (WRO) against Serbia Zijin Copper d.o.o., effectively banning the import of the company’s products into the United States due to concerns that they may have been produced using forced labour.
This is the second such measure imposed by CBP against a company operating in Serbia, following the December 2025 ban on imports of Linglong Tire products over concerns about the presence of forced labour in the supply chain.
According to CBP’s statement, the decision was based on information indicating the presence of several forced labour indicators, including abuse of workers’ vulnerability, withholding of wages, intimidation and threats, restriction of movement, retention of identity documents, and excessive overtime.
The proceedings before the U.S. authorities were initiated by China Labor Watch (CLW), which stated that, during its 2022 field investigations into Chinese investment projects in Serbia, it documented numerous indicators of forced labour among migrant workers. According to CLW, the indicators identified included passport retention, recruitment-related deposits, excessive working hours without adequate rest, unsafe working conditions, and restrictions on workers’ freedom of movement.
In its statement, China Labor Watch specifically acknowledged ASTRA’s contribution to raising awareness of labour exploitation and protecting the rights of migrant workers in Serbia. CLW noted that the two organisations remained in communication and exchanged information throughout the process, although they did not conduct joint investigations.
ASTRA has been documenting cases of labour exploitation and indicators of forced labour among migrant workers engaged in large infrastructure and industrial projects in Serbia for many years. The decision by U.S. Customs does not constitute a court judgment, but it is a serious warning that points to the need for effective and impartial investigations into allegations of labour exploitation and human trafficking. It is particularly concerning that this is the second case in a short period of time involving major foreign investments in Serbia.
The Republic of Serbia has ratified key international instruments in the field of combating human trafficking and labour exploitation, including International Labour Organization conventions, the United Nations Palermo Protocol, and the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings. These obligations require the proactive identification of potential victims, the conduct of effective investigations, and the sanctioning of those responsible for exploitation.
Additional concern is raised by the findings of the latest annual report of the Council of Europe Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA), published last week. GRETA warns that various forms of exploitation, including forced labour and other forms of human trafficking, represent a growing challenge across Europe, and calls on states to improve mechanisms for victim identification, protection of migrant workers, and the conduct of effective investigations.
ASTRA believes that the focus should not be on reputational damage or the trade consequences of this decision, but on the protection of human rights and the prevention of labour exploitation. Every worker, regardless of nationality, must have access to decent working conditions, protection from coercion, and effective legal remedies.
This case once again confirms the importance of the role played by workers themselves, civil society organisations, investigative journalists, and international organisations in uncovering and documenting cases of exploitation. It also highlights the need for the competent institutions in Serbia to consistently apply domestic laws and international human rights standards.