Special report: ‘They treated us like slaves


 

Los Angeles Times
Dear Readers:Imagine a workplace where bosses would strip people of their shoes to prevent them from running away. Or one where workers would be put on a no-pay list if they got sick. And a job site where bosses tied a worker to a tree and then beat him.
Earlier this week, we told you about unbearable conditions for workers at Mexican mega-farms, which now supply a huge portion of the tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplant and other produce consumed by Americans.
Today, we invite you to read our second installment in the “Product of Mexico” series. Our story offers an inside look at Bioparques, one of Mexico’s biggest tomato exporters and a supplier to Wal-Mart.
Financed by the World Bank, Bioparques was honored as a “socially responsible company.” But for fieldworkers, whom Bioparques described as the “backbone of all company operations and partners in every success,” the company’s labor camp was a virtual prison.
Our reporter, Rich Marosi, reports that Bioparques’ continued operation speaks to the impunity of Mexican agribusiness.
Read: Desperate workers on a Mexican mega-farm: ‘They treated us like slaves’
Davan Maharaj, Editor
P.S. Many readers are sharing their opinions of the story. See what they’re saying and weigh in with your own thoughts.latimes.com