Friday, June 29, 2012

Investigators Find Forced Labor at Louisiana Walmart Seafood Supplier

By Jorge Rivas, ColorLines
June 20 2012

An investigation by the Worker Rights Consortium (WRC) has found labor law violations and inhumane treatment of workers at a Walmart seafood supplier in Louisiana.

The 37-page report published Wednesday alleges Mexican “guest workers” are forced to work shifts of up to 24 hours during peak production periods, with as few as four hours between shifts. According to the report, workers are paid 40 percent below the legal minimum wage. The WRC concluded that the totality of the abuses taking place at this employer constitute forced labor under U.S. law. [...]

Read the full article:
http://colorlines.com/archives/2012/06/investigators_find_forced_labor_at_louisiana_walmart_seafood_supplier.html

Watch a video with the workers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=cVWos-FBLjQ

Sign the petition:
http://www.alignny.org/posts/uncategorized/2012/06/think-your-jobs-tough-think-again/

People in the New York metropolitan area can show support on June 30. Align NY writes:

"On Saturday June 30, guestworkers will be camping out and going without food or water for 24 hours in front of Walmart Board Member Michelle Burns' apartment in Lower Manhattan to appeal to her conscience. They will be gathering in front of Michelle Burns' residence on Spruce Street, between Williams & Nassau in Manhattan (near Pace University) at 10am to launch their fast, and they won't leave until 11am on Sunday."

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