US farm labor issues continue to dog tobacco interests around the world

A report released on Wednesday by two members of the British Parliament asks tobacco companies to guarantee freedom of association for US farm laborers, according to a story by Vanessa McCray for The Blade newspaper.

The report, by Labour Party members Jim Sheridan and Ian Lavery, followed a July fact-finding trip (see July 25 story: Joint US and British delegation to check on conditions on US tobacco farms) to migrant camps and tobacco fields, which was led by the Toledo-based Farm Labor Organizing Committee.

The eight-page report, “A Smokescreen for Slavery: Human Rights Abuses in UK Supply Chains,” details the duo’s findings and observations during the multiday visit to North Carolina.

The trip included stops at several labor camps, where, the report said, working conditions were ‘overwhelmingly deficient’.

Many workers feared retaliation if they complained, the report stated.

The MPs focus largely on British American Tobacco, which has its headquarters in Britain.

Sheridan was quoted as saying that BAT, the largest shareholder of Reynolds American Inc., should lobby Reynolds, the major buyer of North Carolina tobacco, to commit to full freedom of association for farm workers.

McCray quoted BAT as saying in a written statement that it takes seriously allegations of poor working conditions but noted the company didn’t own tobacco farms, employ farm workers, or control Reynolds.

‘While it is not clear the issues identified take place within our supply chain, further investigation is needed,’ read the company’s statement.

Farm labor practices comprise a high-profile issue for the tobacco industry at the moment. In announcing earlier this week new leaf tobacco supply arrangements with Philip Morris International, both Universal and Alliance made mention of the Agricultural Labor Practices code.

Universal said that ALP was designed to further its corporate goals and the goals of its customers of progressively addressing and eliminating concerns found in agriculture with child and other labor issues, and achieving safe and fair working conditions on all farms from which Universal sourced tobacco.

The MP’s report is at: http://www.toledoblade.com/attachment/2014/11/06/Trade-Union-Group.pdf

The Blade’s report is at: http://www.toledoblade.com/local/2014/11/06/U-K-report-urges-tobacco-workers-rights.html.