The cruelty behind the production of your can of Coca-Cola or Pepsi: companies contribute to the unnecessary sterilization of thousands of women | Abroad
The cruelty behind the production of your can of Coca-Cola or Pepsi: companies contribute to the unnecessary sterilization of thousands of women | Abroad
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Coca-Cola’s commercials may look beautiful and tender, but they are in stark contrast to the working and living conditions of the people who provide the sugar in the popular drinks. The New York Times and Fuller Project investigated modern sugar slavery in the Indian region of Maharashtra, which accounts for more than a third of India’s sugar production. Men, women and their children work every day in the scorching sun. They do not do this for a decent wage, but to repay loans.
At the beginning of the season, the workers receive an advance, which they must earn back during the season. These advances are barely enough to make ends meet. For example, if they need to go to the doctor, they must request an advance from their employer in order to pay for it.
After a whole season of hard work, there is almost always an open bill with the sugar producers. The workers’ debts increase and they are forced to continue working on the plantations. It is a hopeless reimbursement system.
Unnecessary removal of the uterus
Because they cannot go without work, thousands of women in the region have their uterus removed. These women are told that they will have to visit the doctor less often after such a hysterectomy. Doctor visits are “not possible”: they mean missing a day of work and requesting an extra loan for the costs.
Doctors almost always advise women to have themselves sterilized if they experience menstrual complaints. This saves doctors money, while in 90 percent of cases such an intervention is not necessary at all. But the women don’t know any better. They simply don’t want to get their period or get sick anymore.
According to the report, Maharashtra sugar has been used in the production of cans of Coca-Cola and Pepsi for over a decade. This is despite the fact that both companies have published codes of conduct that prohibit the use of child and forced labor by suppliers and business partners.
Companies have been aware of this for years
The sugar and cola producers are aware of the poor working conditions and even reported on this in 2019. Although they promise to “gradually reduce child labor” and “monitor the plantations,” they take no action. Not even for the extremely high figures of unnecessary female sterilizations.
The description of the working conditions of sugarcane cutters in Maharashtra is deeply disturbing
Pepsi
In a statement, Pepsi responded that they were concerned about the situation. “We will conduct an assessment together with our franchise partners to understand the working conditions of the sugarcane cutters and any measures that need to be taken,” the company said. Coca-Cola declined to comment.
All links in sugar production deny their responsibility for the abuses. The large companies, suppliers and the owners of the sugar factories point the finger at each other.
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