Ecuadoran workers reveal horrific conditions at Japanese textile company

In Ecuador, former employees of the Japanese textile company Furukawa revealed harrowing experiences of exploitation after a recent ruling by the country's constitutional court. The court determined that Furukawa unlawfully maintained working conditions comparable to slavery, prompting the justices to order the company to compensate 342 individuals with $120,000 each, totaling around $41 million. Additionally, the company is to publicly apologize to the victims. The allegations brought to light by the former workers, many of whom began to work on the plantations as children, highlight frightening incidents, including lack of medical care after work-related injuries, unsanitary living conditions, and even deaths in accidents at work. Critically, the testimonies reveal that these former workers lived in camps that were overcrowded and unhygienic, which created an environment where basic needs were not met. For instance, Maria Guerrero recounted how she gave birth to all her children while working for the company without any medical check-ups during her pregnancies. The laborers’ plight developed severely on plantations extending over 23,000 hectares in three provinces where the majority of the local population is Black. These revelations have prompted community leaders to characterize Furukawa as a 'monster' for its neglect of the rights and well-being of its workforce. As the company proceeds to contest the court's ruling, claiming inconsistencies and seeking a reduced compensation amount, the former employees gather in various forums to confront what they believe to be a systemic issue of exploitation that has persisted over decades. Amid governmental and public scrutiny, Furukawa faces increased pressure regarding its practices, leading to broader discussions about labor rights and corporate responsibility in Ecuador.