Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee Tool sued for alleged use of forced labor in Chinese prison factory
Lawsuit against Milwaukee Tool says the company had gloves made in a Chinese prison factory using forced labor, under brutal conditions which included torture and beatings.
Milwaukee Tool has been sued for allegedly having work gloves made by forced labor in a Chinese prison factory under deplorable conditions which included beatings and torture.
The lawsuit filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Milwaukee claims the Brookfield-based company knew, or should have known, the gloves were made with forced labor, a violation of the U.S. Trafficking Victim Protection Act.
The plaintiff is only identified under the pseudonym Xu Lun, who in July 2021 was convicted of “subversion of state power,” a charge commonly used by the Chinese government to target activists and human rights campaigners. His real name was withheld from the lawsuit out of fears for his safety, according to the law firm Farra & Wang, of Washington, D.C., which brought the action.
For five months in 2022, Xu Lun was subject to forced labor in the prison factory which allegedly made work gloves bearing the “Milwaukee Tool” logo, according to the suit.
Xu Lun was assigned to sorting fabric, thread cutting, gluing, ironing and quality control, the suit noted. The workdays were up to 13 hours. Prisoners were only allowed a 10-minute break in the morning, a 25-minute break for lunch, and a 10-minute break in the afternoon. They were only permitted up to three days off per month.
“The factories had no air conditioning or heating, and the prisoners were subjected to severe weather conditions,” the suit claims. “The summer months were particularly brutal, with extreme heat and humidity, and poor ventilation. Many prisoners developed eczema and other skin ailments in the hot and humid factories.”
The factories were also laden with fabric dust so severe that prisoners were required to wash it off before they were allowed to take showers. The constant exposure to dust caused respiratory health issues for many of the prisoners, according to the suit.
The facilities were cramped, making it difficult for the prisoners to work comfortably or safely. Some developed health issues such hemorrhoids and prostatitis from long periods of sitting without breaks.
There were workplace injuries caused by the machinery, including fingers punctured by the embroidering machinery, the lawsuit claims.
Lawsuit: workers threatened, punished for not working hard enough
Xu Lun alleged he regularly witnessed fellow inmates being threatened and punished when they refused to work, didn’t work hard enough, or did not meet production quotas.
“Punishment included being forced to stand or squat for long periods of time, being banned from visitation with family, being banned from buying goods with their money, and being forbidden to use the bathroom,” the suit notes.
“More severe punishment included being sent to the high-security section of the prison, being placed in solitary confinement, being forced to walk while squatting, and being woken up every hour with a roll call. The most severe punishment included beatings and electric shocks with electric rods,” according to the suit. “The experience of being exploited and forced into grueling work was humiliating and dehumanizing,” it said.
The Milwaukee Tool products made in the prison were the “Demolition” gloves and “Winter Demolition” gloves, the “Performance” and “FreeFlex” gloves, according to the suit.
“When the gloves came on the market, Milwaukee Tool heavily touted the fact that, unlike other companies that might just use an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), Milwaukee Tool was different. Rather than rely on others for design and manufacturing, Milwaukee Tool differentiated its glove offerings by touting Milwaukee Tool’s ownership of the design and manufacturing processes,” the suit claims.
Milwaukee Tool could not immediately be reached for a response to the allegations. But the company has publicly stated it has no tolerance for forced labor.
Congress held hearings about human rights in China
Last July, a congressional commission examining human rights issues in China turned its attention to the company’s reported connections to forced labor as it examined “corporate complicity” in abuses linked to the Chinese Communist Party. In a hearing, the wife of a man in a prison where the gloves reportedly were made, described the working conditions and railed against what she called Milwaukee Tool’s “disregard for human rights” and called on Congress to act.
Xu Lun worked for a non-governmental organization that advocated for the rights of vulnerable groups in China including persons with AIDs, hepatitis B, and people with disabilities. The suit doesn’t specify damages sought, but the Trafficking Victim Protection Act allows victims of forced labor to file a civil action against companies that knowingly benefited from the practice.
Milwaukee Tool is owned by Hong Kong-based Techtronic Industries, which is also named in the suit.
Century-old Milwaukee Tool has been one of Wisconsin’s fastest-growing employers, with many of the new positions in technical roles in Menomonee Falls, Brookfield, Milwaukee, Mukwonago, Sun Prairie and West Bend.
The company has spent hundreds of millions of dollars expanding its U.S. operations in recent years. It has manufacturing plants in the United States, China, Mexico, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Vietnam.
Previously known as Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp., the company traces its history back to the 1920s when Henry Ford was looking for a compact hand drill.
MILWAUKEE – Forecast from FOX6 Meteorologist Lisa Michaels
Partly sunny skies on Saturday with a slight chance for a few sprinkles or a shower.
Temperatures warmer on Saturday in the mid to upper 60s. Isolated 70s near the border. Breezy with winds gusting near 30mph.
Cooler temperatures in the upper 50s on Sunday (Mother’s Day) with increasing clouds. Patchy frost Saturday night into Sunday and Sunday night into Monday.
Next chance of rain and storms arrives on Tuesday.
Today: Partly sunny. A few showers possible. Breezy.
High: 67°
Wind: NW 10-25
Tonight: Partly cloudy. Patchy frost.
Low: 42°
Wind: NW 5-10
Sunday: Increasing clouds.
High: 57°
Wind: NW 5-15
Monday: Mostly sunny.
AM Low: 39° High: 59°
Wind: E 5-10
Tuesday: Warm and windy. Chance storms.
AM Low: 42° High: 68°
Wind: SW 10-25
Wednesday:Partly sunny.
AM Low: 46° High: 59°
Wind: NW 5-15
Thursday: Mostly sunny.
AM Low: 42° High: 64°
Wind: S 5-10
6-day planner
FOX6 Weather Extras
Local perspective:
Meanwhile, FOX6Now.com offers a variety of extremely useful weather tools to help you navigate the stormy season. They include the following:
FOX6 Storm Center app
FOX LOCAL Mobile app
FOX Weather app
FOX Weather
Big picture view:
Maps and radar
We have a host of maps and radars on the FOX6 Weather page that are updating regularly — to provide you the most accurate assessment of the weather. From a county-by-county view to the Midwest regional radar and a national view — it’s all there.
School and business closings
When the weather gets a little dicey, schools and businesses may shut down. Monitor the latest list of closings, cancellations, and delays reported in southeast Wisconsin.
FOX6 Weather Experts in social media
Milwaukee, WI
Bobby Portis and his mom share the story behind his foundation while honoring Milwaukee teachers
MILWAUKEE, Wis. — The Bobby Portis Foundation hosted a luncheon Friday at Roosevelt Middle School to honor teachers — many of whom are also mothers — with Mother’s Day and Teacher Appreciation Week overlapping on the calendar.
Portis and his mother, Tina Edwards, spent the day celebrating educators and reflecting on the mission behind the foundation.
“We just want to make sure that we let the teachers know you are appreciated because sometimes it goes beyond being a parent at home, but sometimes teachers are parents at school,” Edwards explained.
Ariel Campos, TMJ4 Sports
For Portis, a forward for the Milwaukee Bucks, the foundation has always been rooted in one person.
“The Bobby Portis Foundation has always just been solely based upon really my mom, and that’s the inspiration behind it,” Portis said.
WATCH: Bobby Portis and his mom share the story behind his foundation
Bobby Portis and his mom share the story behind his foundation while honoring Milwaukee teachers
Growing up, Portis watched his mother raise four boys on her own.
“My mom worked tirelessly to take care of all four of us,” Portis said.
Edwards made sacrifices for her sons from the very beginning — including turning down a basketball scholarship after becoming pregnant with Bobby.
“I still was offered a scholarship after I had him, but I wanted to choose him over ball,” Edwards said.
Tina Edwards
That sacrifice brought her full circle through her son’s career.
“With Bobby becoming an NBA player, he’s living my dream, and I’m living the dream through him,” Edwards shared.
For Portis, the event was an opportunity to honor everything his mother has given him.
“I can’t just put into words what my mom has done for me, not only for my basketball career – that’s just like a small portion of my life – I’m talking about just me as a human being, as a man. I mean, I didn’t have a dad growing up, so my mom played both roles. She did a hell of a job raising not only me but my three other brothers,” Portis said.
His grandmother’s message to spread his blessings continues to drive his work.
“Being able to be in a position now to have a voice, to have a platform, to give back, to help inspire. I try to use it to the best of my abilities,” Portis said.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
Let’s talk:
Hey there! At TMJ4 News, we’re all about listening to our audience and tackling the stuff that really matters to you. Got a story idea, tip, or just want to chat about this piece? Hit us up using the form below. For more ways to get in touch, head over to tmj4.com/tips.
It’s about time to watch on your time. Stream local news and weather 24/7 by searching for “TMJ4” on your device.
Available for download on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and more.
Report a typo or error
MILWAUKEE — Saturday is the start of the food truck curfew in downtown Milwaukee. That curfew was passed by the Common Council to address safety concerns after several violent incidents.
Alma Juarez is with Tacos Almita on Water Street in downtown Milwaukee. Juarez said since the city passed the curfew, she’s had just over two weeks to adjust.
“We’re trying to think what we’re going to do,” said Juarez. “Maybe we’re going to start in another place or move the food truck after 10 p.m., but that means we have to start over again.”
She said that means she may also have to start building up a news customer base.
“Moving the truck means that… we have to struggle,” said Juarez.
Juarez is not alone in worrying about her financial future.
Last Thursday, a group of owners took their concerns to city hall. Jennifer Martinez, who’s with the food truck known as Tacos El Pastorcito Mixe, was at that demonstration. She said the late-night hours make up roughly 75% of her revenue.
“During the day, I’ve tried opening very early in the morning — 8 a.m. 9 a.m. — it doesn’t make a difference. There’s no… we don’t have much sales throughout the day,” said Martinez.
Ald. Robert Bauman represents downtown and was the sponsor of the ordinance.
Last week he told Spectrum News that he’s aware of the economic burden the truck operators are facing. However, he said safety concerns are a bigger priority.
“And MPD (Milwaukee Police Department) has said on the record repeatedly that food trucks are a major contributing cause for the loitering and disorder that takes place on Water Street,” said Bauman, who represents District 4 in Milwaukee.
He said he’s willing to take a hit on food trucks and prioritize the concerns of larger businesses.
“If they feel that downtown is not safe anymore, they’ll either not come at all, or they’ll leave as soon as their event is over with and not spend any additional money in the downtown area,” said Bauman.
But Juarez said the city shouldn’t have to do that. She said she believes food trucks aren’t the cause of the problem.
“You can see it in any places, but not here,” said Juarez. “It can happen here, but not in front of the food trucks cause they are saying that a lot of violence, a lot of the things that are going on is in front of the food truck. You can see that all the shooting happens after 1 a.m. or 3 a.m. Last shooting, it was after 1 a.m.”
Food truck owners said they hope to continue to turn a profit after the ordinance starts, but they said they face a potentially tough financial future.
-
Arizona9 seconds agoDrowning happens in seconds, Arizona safety experts warn as triple-digit temperatures arrive this week
-
Arkansas6 minutes agoOklahoma Responds Well But Collapses Late to Drop Series With Arkansas
-
California12 minutes agoTwo GOP candidates for California governor participate in Bakersfield forum
-
Colorado18 minutes agoColorado man sentenced to over 40 years in prison for murder of ex-girlfriend
-
Connecticut24 minutes agoBody recovered from Connecticut River near Chester-Lyme Ferry, DEEP says
-
Delaware30 minutes agoFormer Delaware police officer accused of raping woman he met on dating app
-
Florida36 minutes agoFlorida man taken into custody related to call threatening business
-
Georgia42 minutes ago
Leschber Named to 2026 ACC All-Tournament Team
