October 07, 2010 12:00 PM (PT)
After ninety-five farm workers were recently discovered living in slavery and seriously exploitative conditions, Brazil is cracking down on human trafficking in food production. But it will take more than just the Brazilian government's efforts, since food like the sugar and strawberries workers were forced to harvest end up in international markets. That means we as consumers and the stores we buy from have to demand slave-free food.
Brazil has struggled with the rampant use of slavery in food production for years. In 2002, the government declared war on human trafficking in agriculture, and for the past eight years they have been finding more and more victims of human trafficking in the vast, rural parts of the country where many crops are grown. In 2008, over 5,200 workers were freed from debt bondage, indentured servitude, and slavery in agricultural industries. However, officials think the actual number of slaves in the country is much higher.
Last month, officials found forty-four workers enslaved on a sugar cane plantation near Rio de Janeiro. The workers were forced to live in dirty houses without basic sanitation or clean drinking water. They harvested sugar cane with dangerous tools and no protective gear. Fifty-one more trafficked workers were found at a nearby strawberry plantation, where they weren't paid, had no legal standing, and were forced to handle harsh chemicals without protection. At least two children on the farm were forced to work the night shift, without breaks for meals or rest.
Brazil, like many of the other countries in the world who struggle against slavery in agriculture, exports massive quantities of produce, meat, and other goods to the U.S. for sale. That means the strawberries picked in the dead of night by those enslaved kids could end up in your local grocery store. And the sugar harvested by men and women without access to clean water could be sweetening your coffee or your favorite treats.
To reduce demand for slavery in food production and to make sure the products you buy aren't tainted with slavery, demand that grocery stores make a commitment to selling slave-free food. For example, despite repeated requests from the Coalition of Immokalee Workers to join their Fair Food Campaign, Trader Joe's keeps refusing. Ask them to sell slave-free food. Because it takes grocery stores, consumers, and governments all working together to end human trafficking in food production.
Brazil has struggled with the rampant use of slavery in food production for years. In 2002, the government declared war on human trafficking in agriculture, and for the past eight years they have been finding more and more victims of human trafficking in the vast, rural parts of the country where many crops are grown. In 2008, over 5,200 workers were freed from debt bondage, indentured servitude, and slavery in agricultural industries. However, officials think the actual number of slaves in the country is much higher.
Last month, officials found forty-four workers enslaved on a sugar cane plantation near Rio de Janeiro. The workers were forced to live in dirty houses without basic sanitation or clean drinking water. They harvested sugar cane with dangerous tools and no protective gear. Fifty-one more trafficked workers were found at a nearby strawberry plantation, where they weren't paid, had no legal standing, and were forced to handle harsh chemicals without protection. At least two children on the farm were forced to work the night shift, without breaks for meals or rest.
Brazil, like many of the other countries in the world who struggle against slavery in agriculture, exports massive quantities of produce, meat, and other goods to the U.S. for sale. That means the strawberries picked in the dead of night by those enslaved kids could end up in your local grocery store. And the sugar harvested by men and women without access to clean water could be sweetening your coffee or your favorite treats.
To reduce demand for slavery in food production and to make sure the products you buy aren't tainted with slavery, demand that grocery stores make a commitment to selling slave-free food. For example, despite repeated requests from the Coalition of Immokalee Workers to join their Fair Food Campaign, Trader Joe's keeps refusing. Ask them to sell slave-free food. Because it takes grocery stores, consumers, and governments all working together to end human trafficking in food production.
Photo credit: woodlouse
Amanda Kloer has been a full-time abolitionist for six years. She currently develops trainings and educational materials for civil attorneys representing victims of human trafficking and gender-based violence.Source: End Human Trafficking
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