Bombardier
In March 2020, Bombardier (which has since merged with Alstom) was named in ASPI’s report as one of at least 82 global brands whose supply chains were highly likely to contain Uyghur forced labour. ASPI’s research identified KTK Group, a major supplier of train fittings, as part of Bombardier’s supply chain.
KTK Group was confirmed to have sourced workers from Xinjiang through the Xinjiang Aid program, and was blacklisted by the US Commerce Department in 2020 for its role in China’s “campaign of repression, mass arbitrary detention, forced labour, and high technology surveillance against Uighurs, Kazakhs and other members of Muslim minority groups”.
Bombardier says it contacted KTK after the report came out to confirm the manufacturer is adhering to the Bombardier code of ethics it signed. "We take these allegations very seriously as all of our supplier contracts specifically preclude the use of forced labour," Bombardier said in an email.
In correspondence with train manufacturer Bombardier, KTK confirmed it acquired scores of workers through the Chinese government’s Xinjiang Aid program, after “follow[ing] the call of the government to take the social responsibility, provide working opportunities to Uighurs, and make contributions to poverty alleviation”.