Under The Sun: Exposing Labor Exploitation in Maharashtra's Sugar Fields

This investigation uncovers widespread human rights violations among sugar cane workers in Maharashtra, India, including forced labor, child labor, and coerced hysterectomies, with a concerning lack of government intervention.

In Maharashtra, a western state of India, labor exploitation within the sugar cane industry thrives unchecked, impacting countless workers who are subjected to harsh conditions including debt bondage, child labor, and coerced hysterectomies. Our investigation revealed that these abuses occur openly, yet receive little governmental oversight or intervention. Large Western companies, such as Coca-Cola, continue sourcing sugar from these fields despite being aware of the labor exploitation, pointing to a troubling disconnection between corporate responsibility and human rights. Interviews with affected workers, especially women who underwent unnecessary surgeries to avoid losing employment, highlight a tragic reality fueled by poverty and governmental neglect. India, despite having labor laws like prohibiting child labor and debt bondage, appears inactive in enforcing these laws, leaving these vulnerable workers to fend for themselves without recourse or protection.