Hundreds of migrant workers continue to live in a climate of fear, poverty stricken, subjected to inhuman conditions and indebted to gangmasters, a report published today reveals. 'Experiences of Forced Labour in the UK Food Industry', a report by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and one of the largest studies into the plight of those in the industry from farm and factory workers through to those toiling in restaurants, found a catalogue of abusive practices. Its researchers discovered workers were subjected to racist or sexist bullying and threats. Isolated, unable to speak English and unaware of their rights, many complained of feeling depressed and some were driven to self harm. Terri Judd, Independent, 15/05/12
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The Ngobe Indian's rainforest in Panama is a natural paradise for amphibians and reptiles. Now a part of it could be drowned in an artificial lake which is supposed to produce so-called clean energy, endangering the extremely rare Tabasara Rain Frog which is only found in the affected area. The Ngobe Indians are outraged by the plans for the Barro Blanco dam and are asking for help. The project is financed by three international development banks. Please ask the banks to stop their financial support for the dam and ensure the protection of the rainforest and the Tabasara Rain Frog.
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Human rights campaigners have called on the Home Office to open more screening centres to stop asylum seekers being forced to travel to Croydon. Refugees who travel to the UK, but do not present themselves on arrival, have to travel to Lunar House, in Wellesley Road, to have their application assessed. Many have little food or money and end up sleeping on the streets in Croydon. Now a group representing female refugees in Scotland has started
an e-petition which calls for screening to be routinely available across the UK. Patricia Zimouini Nganga, of the Refugee Women's Strategy Group, based in Glasgow, said: "When people flee their homes and arrive in this country they are often stressed and confused. Croyden Today, Thursday, 3rd May 2012
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Read the new report
Fair Games? on the conditions of workers making goods for the Olympic games. Official Olympic clothing sold by Next is claimed to have been produced in sweatshop conditions in Sri Lanka. The allegation comes days after the high street chain unveiled the formal outfits that Team GB will wear at the opening ceremony.
TAKE ACTION: Following the shocking findings of the report, you can contact brands producing kit for Olympic consumers, athletes and volunteers, to tell them to do more to protect workers' rights. Read more at the
Independent on Sunday
The Co-operative Group has become the first major European supermarket group to end trade with companies that export produce from illegal Israeli settlements.
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Pat Gaffney, General Secretary of Pax Christi, has been attending these Annual Meetings since the mid-1990s when BAE were involved in the sale of Hawk Aircraft to Indonesia, at that time an occupying force in East Timor. Pat said:
I raised questions to challenge their deep involvement with Saudi Arabia where defence spending is very high. I wanted to know why they continue with this when they speak of the financial risks of working in the Middle East, and in their own words, the political instability and civil disturbance in the region. I wanted to know if by this they meant the search for democracy and human rights that we see in Bahrain, Egypt and elsewhere? I also wanted confirmation that their 200 Tactica Vehicles, sold to the National Guard of Saudi Arabia,had not been used against protestors in Bahrain last year. Dick Olver, the Chair, was unable to give this.
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