An export powerhouse that provides much of America’s vegetables, the Mexican produce industry in recent years has followed up on some promised reforms aimed at preventing the abuse of farmworkers. But a recent move of the government accusing two large Mexican agribusinesses of forced labor abuses has brought fresh scrutiny of the industry. “The hope is that this brings greater awareness of horrible conditions that these workers are subjected to,” Ana Hinojosa, executive director of the agency’s forced labor division, said in an interview. This summer the administration also slapped trade restrictions on a Chinese manufacturer of silica-based products accused of forced labor abuses against ethnic Uyghur workers. But the U.S. action suggests that labor abuses persist.

Source: Los Angeles Times January 04, 2022 14:22 UTC