Sugar Reform Game Changer
In an extraordinary move last week, the U.S. blocked sugar imports from a Fanjul family-owned sugar plantation in the Dominican Republic. The plantation, Central Romana, produces sugar sold under the Domino label (the Fanjuls also own C&H Sugar, Florida Crystals and other brands). According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the move is based on "information that reasonably indicates the use of forced labor in its operations," including abusive working and living conditions and withheld wages.
Credit is due to Representatives Earl Blumenauer of Oregon and Dan Kildee of Michigan, who led a recent congressional delegation to the Central Romana plantation; investigative journalist Sandy Tolan, who has written in depth about worker conditions; and the many racial and environmental justice advocates pressing for fair treatment of these workers.