Forced labour: Nestlé goes on the offensive

Following an investigation that has been going on for roughly twelve months, the Swiss multinational Nestlé has uncovered extensive human rights violations and various instances of forced labour in its seafood supply chain in Thailand. The company initiated its investigation following an increase in reports by the media and non-governmental organisations in 2014 relating to forced labour and unacceptable working conditions among suppliers. The affected products include Nestlé’s pet food products, which are manufactured using fish from Thailand.
The company intends to present the complete report on the abuses in 2016 and to put forward a plan for eradicating them. “Nestlé has drawn up an action plan for seafood from Thailand. This includes a range of measures that will help to protect workers against exploitation, improve their working conditions and put a stop to unacceptable practices including child labour. Implementation has already commenced,” stated the company in outlining its proposals.
Nevertheless, Nestlé is already facing a class action by customers who accuse the company of using slave labour in Thailand in the production of its Fancy Feast cat food brand, which is sold in the USA.