Human Rights Abuse at Lakeside Organics

"Public complaints made against the Watsonville-based Lakeside Organics corporation point to systemic human rights abuses by the Lakeside Organics corporation. These complaints serve as a reminder that organic certification often does always take into consideration abusive labor conditions.

Complaints include labor compensation disputes totaling in more than $10,000. [1,2,4,5,7] Denying employees breaks and making employees work overtime without compensation (keep in mind the normal work day without overtime for agricultural workers is ten hours instead of eight). Sexual and discriminatory harassment complaints being ignored by supervisors [5]. Unsafe working conditions; where employees developed rashes from fertilizers being applied to produce.[8] Making employees drink non-potable water "from the hose."[6] Overflowing port-potties were not cleaned at regular intervals. [8] Supervisors drinking on the job and verbally abusing and de-humanizing workers.[6,8] Claims of lack of medical compensation for job related injuries and dumping injured workers were also made. [6]"

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