Plantation

Plantations and Human Trafficking

Plantations are large agricultural estates that typically grow cash crops such as coffee, tea, sugar, and cotton. Unfortunately, due to the labor-intensive nature of plantation work and the often low wages and poor working conditions, some plantation workers may be at risk of exploitation, including human trafficking. Workers may be coerced or forced to work against their will, often with little or no pay, and may suffer from physical and psychological abuse.

The vulnerability of plantation workers to human trafficking is compounded by factors such as migration, language barriers, and lack of access to legal and social services. These workers may be isolated and cut off from their families and communities, making them easier to exploit.

To combat human trafficking on plantations, it is important to raise awareness about the issue and to implement measures to protect vulnerable workers. This can include providing fair wages and safe working conditions, ensuring access to legal and social services, and establishing mechanisms for reporting and responding to incidents of trafficking.

Ultimately, addressing human trafficking on plantations requires a multi-faceted approach that involves governments, employers, civil society organizations, and the wider community. By working together, we can help ensure that plantation workers are able to work in safe and fair conditions, free from exploitation and abuse.

 

 

U.N. report calls U.S. prison labor system ‘contemporary slavery’
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U.N. report calls U.S. prison labor system ‘contemporary slavery’

A recent report published by United Nations human rights experts denounces the prevalence of “contemporary slavery” within the U.S. prison system. The report, a result of a comprehensive investigation following the experts’ visit to the U.S. earlier this year, reveals the harrowing realities of forced labor, shocking prison conditions, and systemic racism that plagues American…

UN Report Urges End to Forced US Prison Labor—a ‘Contemporary Form of Slavery’
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UN Report Urges End to Forced US Prison Labor—a ‘Contemporary Form of Slavery’

A report published Thursday by United Nations human rights experts condemns systemic racism in the U.S. criminal justice system and policing, while describing “appalling” prison conditions and decrying forced unpaid convict labor as a “contemporary form of slavery.” The U.N. International Independent Expert Mechanism to Advance Racial Justice and Equality in the Context of Law…

Malaysia Penalizes 400 Companies in 2023 for Labor Offences
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Malaysia Penalizes 400 Companies in 2023 for Labor Offences

TEMPO.CO, Kuala Lumpur – Malaysia has taken action against 400 companies so far this year for violating labor laws, state news agency Bernama reported, citing Human Resources Minister V. Sivakumar. The ministry’s labor department issued fines totaling 2.17 million ringgit ($463,000) against 272 employers, while the courts fined 128 employers a combined 242,000 ringgit, Bernama cited…

The fiber that binds | Newberry Observer
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The fiber that binds | Newberry Observer

Cotton is a popular textile fiber touted as being eco-friendly since it is derived from a sustainable plant. It is widely recognized for its use in the making of fabrics for clothing, sheets and towels. Surprisingly, it is also present in U.S. currency, rope, paper, cooking oil, livestock feed and some fuels. Despite its usefulness,…

‘There is slavery in the fields of North Carolina’
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‘There is slavery in the fields of North Carolina’

I’ll never forget something that advocate and former farmworker Leticia Zavala said to me during an interview. “There is slavery in the fields of North Carolina.” She said it almost in passing, as part of a larger laundry list of abusive and deadly conditions experienced by farmworkers in the state as part of the H-2A…

Q&A: California’s uninterrupted history of slavery
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Q&A: California’s uninterrupted history of slavery

Slavery is often associated with the South. A new book shifts the narrative West. “California, a Slave State,” details 250 years of slavery and slave revolts in California. KPBS reporter Katie Hyson spoke with the book’s author, Jean Pfaelzer, a public historian and University of Delaware professor, about slavery throughout the state’s history, and how…

Explained | What has India done to address child trafficking?
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Explained | What has India done to address child trafficking?

The story so far: “There are 160 million children waiting for your action. How long will they have to wait?” asked Kinsu Kumar, a survivor of child labour and rights advocate, while speaking at a panel organised on the occasion of World Day Against Child Labour. Mr. Kumar started working at the age of six,…

36 Days of Type: Indian Laws That Shaped Our Lives
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36 Days of Type: Indian Laws That Shaped Our Lives

For #36DaysOfType, The Swaddle’s Denise D’Souza illustrated the A-Z of Indian laws that have impacted Indians in unforeseen ways. ⁠ The Armed Forces Special Powers Act of 1958 (AFSPA) grants the military the ability to maintain public order in ‘disturbed areas,’ through wide powers of arrest, the right to shoot to kill, and to occupy or…

Let’s do away with organ trafficking
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Let’s do away with organ trafficking

THIS is with reference to the editorial ‘Organ racket’ (Feb 14) which dealt with the commercial removal of the kidney of a brick kiln worker in Rawalpindi and the need for a police probe to identify the gang and groups involved in this inhuman activity. Read the original article here. Punjab, no doubt, is considered…