Out of a Ditch, into a Pond

Thailand is a major pineapple producer globally, producing mainly canned pineapple and pineapple juice for the European market. Thailand's pineapple industry has been suspected of serious violations of basic human and labour rights. Migrant workers, mostly from Myanmar, have reported confiscation of their work permits and passports, and having to pay significant recruitment fees to labour contractors and brokers. There have been reports of factory brokers threatening and beating workers, as well as making unlawful deductions from the workers' salaries.

The Thai pineapple industry has also raised significant international attention because of the actions of one company, Natural Fruit. Natural Fruit is a Thai company, and is suing human rights activist Andy Hall after he conducted worker interviews for a Finnwatch report published in 2012. Hall's research findings were used in a report highlighting serious labour rights abuses in a Natural Fruit factory. Hall faces trial for criminal defamation and charges under the Computer Crimes Act. The international outcry has increased, demanding that charges against Hall should be dropped.

More information about the legal case against Andy Hall:

https://andyjhall.wordpress.com

Finnwatch report on Thai pineapple industry can be read here