Corporate researchers allege labor abuse at Thai factories exporting poultry to Europe

BANGKOK – Two Scandinavian groups promoting corporate responsibility say poultry exported to Europe from factories in Thailand is sometimes prepared in conditions that violate labor rights. The claim comes as Thailand's seafood industry is reeling from charges that its products are tainted by major labor abuses, including slavery on fishing boats.

The groups Finnwatch and Swedwatch said in a report released in Thailand on Thursday that it found abuses at six factories that process broiler meat, including exorbitant recruitment fees, illegal confiscation of personal documentation and forced labor.

Earlier this week, the food conglomerate Nestle SA announced it has found that impoverished migrant workers in Thailand are sold or lured by false promises and forced to catch and process fish that ends up in its supply chain.