An investigation into the treatment of shrimp farmers has shed light on the exploitation they face as supermarkets push for lower prices. The report, focusing on three of the world’s biggest shrimp producers, reveals how the pursuit of cheaper wholesale prices by Western supermarkets is leading to hardships for those at the bottom of the supply chain.
According to the research conducted by an alliance of NGOs, the aggressive pricing demands have resulted in a 20%-60% decrease in earnings for producers in countries like Vietnam, Indonesia, and India. Workers are forced to endure unpaid or underpaid work, longer hours, wage insecurity, and in some cases, not even making minimum wages.
Major supermarkets like Target, Walmart, Sainsbury’s, and Tesco have been linked to facilities where labor exploitation was reported. The investigation involved over 500 in-person interviews with workers in their native languages, highlighting the dire conditions faced by many in the industry.
In Vietnam, for example, workers involved in shrimp processing often work long hours in cold rooms, with many women working six to seven days a week. In India, workers face dangerous conditions with salinated water and chemical contamination, leading to instances of child labor. In Indonesia, wages have fallen since the COVID-19 pandemic, with workers making below the country’s minimum wage.
Supermarkets have responded by stating their commitment to fair sourcing practices and human rights. However, the report emphasises that the use of middlemen complicates traceability, making it difficult for retailers to ensure ethical sourcing of shrimp. Only a fraction of shrimp farms are certified, indicating a need for greater oversight and transparency in the industry.
Calls have been made for policymakers to establish oversight to ensure fair pricing practices and to address the root causes of exploitation in the shrimp industry. Efforts are being made by officials in countries like Indonesia and Vietnam to address the findings of the report and seek solutions to improve conditions for shrimp farmers.
Ultimately, the report underscores the need for a more ethical and sustainable approach to sourcing shrimp, highlighting that labour exploitation for profit is a systemic issue that must be addressed at all levels of the supply chain.