Congressman Cleaver Calls on DOL and FDA to Investigate Reports of Retailers Selling Shrimp Peeled by Slaves in Thailand

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Cleaver (MO-05) sent a letter to Secretary of Labor Tom Perez and Acting Commissioner of Food and Drugs Dr. Stephen Ostroff, calling on them to investigate slave-peeled shrimp in Thailand, which is entering the United States' food supply. Recent reports from the United Nations, the European Union, the US State Department, and international labor organizations have all detailed the repugnant use of slave labor in the Thai shrimp processing industry. A detailed report released by the Associated Press this week revealed particularly illustrative and gruesome testimony of former slave workers: human trafficking, forced labor, debt bondages, filthy sub-human working conditions, child endangerment, unlivable wages, and even death. 

"I am deeply concerned for the welfare of adult and children shrimp peelers in Thailand, who are forced to work in one of the most abhorrent slavery schemes of the 21^st century," said Congressman Cleaver, "The list of human rights violations is both extensive and foul. While human trafficking and forced labor are not unique to Thailand, the reports concerning the shrimp peeling industry in Thailand are impossible to ignore. And what is perhaps most troubling is the alleged involvement of United States corporations in the operation."

United States Customs records show that Thai shrimp imported from slavery tainted supply lines has made its way into United States restaurants, universities, hospitals, pet stores, and some of the United States' largest retailers. While some American companies such as Nestle have cut ties with Thai processors associated with slavery, others have admitted to a lack of awareness.

Although international actors have begun to take steps to address the injustices, Congressman Cleaver believes that there is much more that the United States can do. "I respectfully request that the FDA and DOL launch full investigations into US companies doing business with Thai shrimp processors known to be associated with slavery," continued Congressman Cleaver, "and implement the administrative actions that are available to punish companies that associate themselves with slave labor."

In order to compensate for the State Department's inability to institute an outright ban on importing shrimp processed by forced labor, other agencies can and must increase transparency and accountability in the Thai Shrimp distribution chain. 

"This year our country celebrated the 150^th Anniversary of the passage of the 13^th Amendment; an amendment formally abolishing slavery in the United States," stated Congressman Cleaver. "Although the horrors of slavery in our country are generations prior, there are those in Thailand who will wake up tomorrow to experience this nightmare for themselves. We cannot abolish slavery from our own front yard only to see similar crimes against humanity supported in the yard of our neighbors."

Full text of the Congressman's letter is available here.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee, the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, and also a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is available here.

For more information please contact John Jones – john.h.jones@mail.house.gov or (202) 225-4535.