Again we are reminded of the
terrible conditions that slaughterhouse workers are subjected to.
terrible conditions that slaughterhouse workers are subjected to.
A recent Munchies
article spotlights a new report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO)
on health and workplace safety in the meat and poultry industries.
article spotlights a new report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO)
on health and workplace safety in the meat and poultry industries.
The article reports that in 2005,
the GAO found that the meat industry was one of the most dangerous in the
country, leading to countless worker illnesses and injuries.
the GAO found that the meat industry was one of the most dangerous in the
country, leading to countless worker illnesses and injuries.
Earlier this year, it was revealed
that on average, one Tyson employee a month is injured by equipment and loses
a finger or limb.
that on average, one Tyson employee a month is injured by equipment and loses
a finger or limb.
While the number of reported injuries has decreased in
recent years, the GAO found that this is in part because injuries are
underreported:
recent years, the GAO found that this is in part because injuries are
underreported:
About a third of workers in the
meat and poultry industry are immigrants and are less likely to report an
injury for fear of losing their jobs. Workers are often hired through external
contractors, allowing meat processing companies to distance themselves when an
issue does arise, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center.So the real rate of injury on the
job is somewhat hazy, but the industry remains a dangerous one, where workers
may suffer “musculoskeletal disorders, exposure to chemicals and pathogens, and
traumatic injuries from machinery and tools.
Other workplace hazards for farm workers include PTSD and
infection by antibiotic-resistant
bacteria.
infection by antibiotic-resistant
bacteria.
The GAO report comes on the heels of an Oxfam
report revealing line workers at Tyson Foods, Perdue Farms, Pilgrim’s
Pride, and Sanderson Farms are denied bathroom breaks, forcing them to wear
diapers to avoid urinating on themselves.
report revealing line workers at Tyson Foods, Perdue Farms, Pilgrim’s
Pride, and Sanderson Farms are denied bathroom breaks, forcing them to wear
diapers to avoid urinating on themselves.
While the poor treatment of farm workers is well documented, workers aren’t the only ones treated unfairly. Subjected to extreme confinement
and mutilations without painkillers, it’s the animals who pay the ultimate
price with a lifetime of suffering.
and mutilations without painkillers, it’s the animals who pay the ultimate
price with a lifetime of suffering.
You can show your support of farm workers and farmed animals
by ditching the industry that places them behind profit.
by ditching the industry that places them behind profit.
Click here for
more information on making the switch.
more information on making the switch.
