On this edition of Your Call’s One Planet Series Your Call, we’re bringing you an update on the Associated Press investigations that exposed widespread human rights abuses, including rape, slavery, and child labor, in the multibillion-dollar palm oil industry.
The investigation revealed that a large number of children in Indonesia and Malaysia are being kept out of school, forced to work for free or little pay, and are often exposed to dangerous chemicals to make palm oil. In response to this investigation, the US says it will ban all shipments of palm oil from two of the world’s biggest plantations. What effect will this have? What other changes are needed to protect workers and regulate this industry?
Guests:
Margie Mason, medical and investigative reporter for The Associated Press
Robin McDowell, investigative Reporter for the Associated Press
Web Resources:
AP: US bans second Malaysian palm oil giant over forced labor
AP: Child labor in palm oil industry tied to Girl Scout cookies
AP: Rape, abuses in palm oil fields linked to top beauty brands
AP: Palm oil labor abuses linked to world’s top brands, banks