A recent investigation into India's shrimp industry reveals widespread labor abuses and environmental damage, with implications for American consumers.
Martha Mendoza, Mahesh Kumar, and Piyush Nagpal report for the Associated Press.
In short:
- India is the top shrimp supplier to the U.S., but its booming industry faces significant labor and environmental challenges.
- Workers, particularly women, endure grueling conditions for meager wages, and the environmental impact is harming local communities.
- Major U.S. retailers and seafood distributors are scrutinized for their connections to these practices, prompting some to investigate and suspend business with implicated suppliers.
Key quote:
“Our water streams are now polluted, farmland is turning barren, yields are shrinking, and the night air is thick with pollutants.”
— Koyya Sampath Rao, vice president, Jonnalagaruvu village
Why this matters:
Negative health outcomes for workers and the environmental degradation in producing countries spotlight the need for more ethical and sustainable practices in the shrimp industry. LISTEN: Jan-Michael Archer on the fight for environmental and workers’ rights.
