Article; Factory flowers - beauty and survival in India’s garment factories https://tansyhoskins.org/factory-flowers-beauty-and-survival-in-indias-garment-factories/
In thousands of garment factories in Tamil Nadu, women garment workers endure 8–10-hour shifts, racing to complete grueling targets as high as 1,000 pieces of clothing in a single day. The work takes a severe physical toll: Back pain, repetitive strain injuries, and skin conditions from chemical exposure. Adding to their hardships are abusive supervisors and a lack of basic amenities, like food refrigerators, which often leaves lunches spoiled before mealtime. In the midst of these daily struggles, one enduring tradition catches the eye: Flowers adorn the hair of most women toiling on the factory floor. Jasmine strands delicately preserved from temple offerings, roses salvaged from fading bouquets, or blooms lovingly grown in small home gardens. These are not mere adornments, they are symbols of resilience, comfort, and dignity, offering moments of beauty and relief from the harshness of factory work.
Report; Hidden Harvests https://corpaccountabilitylab.org/hidden-harvest
This report is the culmination of three years of research and investigations into the Indian shrimp sector, examining evidence of forced labor, living and working conditions for shrimp supply chain workers, environmental impacts of the industry, and the failure of social auditing certification schemes that purport to to ensure that the shrimp sold with their imprimatur were ethically and sustainably produced.
The current system of farmed shrimp production is not sustainable – not for workers, the environment, or – ultimately – for retailers, wholesalers, or consumers. The Indian shrimp sector is rife with discrimination, dangerous working conditions, hazardous child labor, sexual harassment, debt bondage, threats and intimidation, toxic sewage, false and misleading certification schemes, and a general lack of oversight.
Rather than continue down a road littered with exploitation, discrimination, and forced labor, companies – and governments – have the opportunity and the duty to act now. There is no time to waste in treating workers with respect and addressing the substantial threats to the environment presented by the Indian shrimp sector.