Ezequiel's Story

The following story is a sad but true account of modern day slavery, child labor, and exploitation of the poor. In this case, the victim happens to be Ezequiel Ferreyra and his family, but there are hundreds of others currently trapped in this vicious cycle imposed upon them by Nuestra Huella, forced to choose between "eviction" in a foreign town (with no money, job, or place to go) and putting their children to work grueling days, handling dangerous chemicals in unhealthy conditions. The profiteers in this case are the egg producing company "Nuestra Huella", directly responsible for these atrocities, and the vendors who buy Nuestra Huella eggs, including Walmart and Carrefour among other companies. La Alameda and the MTE have called for a boycott of Nuestra Huella and those with whom they do business. Although The following text was translated from an email sent out by La Alameda, signed by both Gustavo Vera (of La Alameda) and Juan Grabois (of the MTE):

At 1:35AM on 11/16/10, Ezequiel Ferreyra, a 7 year old child who had been enslaved by the poultry farm company Nuestra Huella since the age of 4, passed away. A week before his death, they had been ready to operate, but the tumor had already taken over his brain. Ezequiel spent the majority of his short life surrounded by blood and chicken excrement while handling cancerous toxins (to kill flies and remove the excrement) in order to help his family meet the strict egg production quota which Nuestra Huella’s management imposed on them.

 

Ezequiel Ferreyra at age 4, already consigned to a life of servitude.

Ezequiel’s schoolteachers had already warned that the child was exhausted, and would sleep when coming to class. One day towards the end of September Ezequiel passed out and was rushed to a clinic in Pilar. For weeks, nobody had any news or updates on his health. The company strictly prohibited the parents to speak on the subject of their son with co-workers. The company convinced Ezequiel’s parents that if anything happened to Ezequiel, they would be held legally responsible and have their other children taken away. In exchange for their silence on the matter, they were offered medical attention for their son and a sum of money should Ezequiel die. Paralyzed by fear and desperation, the parents accepted the offer, blackmailed into silence.

Now we know that from the clinic in Pilar, Ezequiel was transferred to the Central Clinic of La Plata, where they detected a cancerous tumor on his brain. From there he was moved to a different clinic in Laferrere, where he was operated on partially reducing the spread of the tumor. However, Ezequiel continued to remain in serious condition. The company ordered his transfer to the Gallego Center where he was admitted into intensive care. In those few days the tumor reproduced itself and despite surgical efforts, Ezequiel’s situation worsened until his passing early Tuesday morning. The status of Ezequiel’s health remained a secret for days, guarded by the company which wanted to avoid at all costs, an investigation into the causes which brought this situation into being.

Ezequiel was brought from Misiones with his family at the end of 2007 by a recruiter working for the Alejandro Lopez Camelo, the president of Nuestra Huella. The recruiter earned $2,500 pesos (approximately $617.37 USD) for every family he was able to sweet talk into working for Nuestra Huella. Families were typically lured in by promises of escaping the extreme poverty in Misiones and being provided with a steady job, while living in a secure house where their children could grow up alongside nature in the countryside. The costs of the trip would be covered by the company and the family only had to accept the “paradise” they were so “fortunate” to be given. Choosing between a future of extreme and chronic poverty or a steady job and stable life, the choice was easy.

There are still approximately 200 children, working with same toxins 

and living in the same conditions which led to Ezequiel's death 

However, upon arriving at the “La Fernandez” farm, the reality of the situation differed immensely from what was promised. The father was put in charge of one of the sheds where he would collect thousands of eggs per day, remove guano, gather up the blood, and employ the use of toxins to remove guano and kill flies. The production quota imposed by the company was impossible to meet without invoking the help of the rest of the family, which was encouraged by the company foremen. If their quota was not met, they ran the risk of losing their job and being kicked out on the street, this time thousands of kilometers away from their home town, friends, and loved ones. Additionally, the family was informed that they owed a “debt” which was incurred during the trip to Buenos Aires. Such was the scenario that first led to the mother, and later the children, partaking in the infernal workdays at Nuestra Huella. The same situation was taking place in the neighboring chicken sheds, where families perform piecework (are paid by each unit produced rather than an hourly wage) in order to make up for the measly salary paid to the father, which amounts to less than that of a rural farm worker.

Guano

Hundreds of more families are enslaved in the same manner as Ezequiel’s family in some 70 farms dispersed throughout Pilar, Zarate, Campana, Exaltación de la Cruz and Córdoba where many children are assigned to the same fate as Ezequiel. Many of these farms are the property of “Nuestra Huella”, a business which has attained prestige as a leader in poultry farming, with such powerful clients as Walmart and Carrefour (http://www.carrefour.com/cdc/group/our-business/our-stores/). The dirty secret of Nuestra Huella and the companies with whom they do business is that they are collectively profiting off of slave and child labor, and are actively involved in human trafficking.

Between 2008 and 2010, hours and hours of film were obtained revealing the enslaved workers trapped behind electric fencing. Even with the Department of Labor verifying the existence of child labor in some 30 farms owned by Nuestra Huella, testimony from more than 40 victims of the company, video footage of the company’s operations and attempts to bribe those speaking out against these outrages, and precise data on the recruitment process, nothing absolutely nothing was sufficient for the Judges Graciela Cione and Adrián Charbay to issue a court order to reduce the servitude, child labor, slave labor, and human trafficking taking place. The fact that the president of Nuestra Huella, Alejandra Lopez Camelo, is a relative of Humberto Zúccaro (the mayor of Pilar), sister-in-law of Jorge Herrera (Secretary General of the UATRE), and that the ex-mayor of Pilar, Sergio Bivort, is an attorney working for the company, might help explain how Nuestra Huella has escaped legal punishment.

Since 2008, the workers of La Alameda and the MTE have denounced Nuestra Huella, compiling evidence of their use of slave and child labor. Hours before learning of Ezequiel’s death, a group of more than 200 activists marched to the two judges demanding justice for Ezequiel and for the heath and lives of the more than 200 children who work and live on the farms operated by Nuestra Huella.

Not only is Nuestra Huella responsible for Ezequiel’s death and the poisoning of dozens of other children and adults alike, now the company is hastily destroying evidence and intends to quickly move the body of Ezequiel, possibly to have him cremated. Outside of the reach of whichever judicial expertise jeopardizes their company’s operations and holds them responsible for the death of Ezequiel and the health of the other children and adults tasked with handling the toxic pesticides and chemicals used on the farms. La Alameda and the MTE now more than ever are stepping up their efforts to attain justice and are calling upon all honest citizens and journalists that condemn slave and child labor to carry forward La Alameda’s plea to break this vicious cycle. 

The following link contains video footage of Ezequiel and other children on one of Nuestra Huella's farms:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zmFTMe8cVs&feature=player_embedded

Interview with Jose Luis

When I first met Jose Luis at La Alameda, I was immediately moved by his story. Only a few years older than myself, Jose Luis and I shared many of the same interests (and taste in music) and instantly forged a friendship. While here in the United States we often hear of well known brands using sweatshop and child labor, it was an eye opening, humbling experience for me to speak face to face with a man my own age who had himself been a victim of this inhumane world of exploitation. I have translated the following interview with Jose Luis, which was conducted by Lucas Schaerer. It is my hope that through sharing his story, those of us who might feel removed from the world of modern day slavery will at the very least be able to put a face to this social problem which is far too often pushed out of mind and out of sight. Those inspired to join the cause and help fight the problem can learn more about La Alameda, their work, and how we in the United States can support them by contacting me or commenting on this blog or on the Facebook Group page. Jose Luis has generously offered to answer all questions anyone reading this interview might have for him. You can either comment on this post or write on the wall of the Facebook Group "La Alameda News" with any questions.

                                                 Jose Luis Ychuta

Jose Luis arrived at a sweatshop, deceived by a human trafficker. Nonetheless, he was able to escape the situation and today fights for the rights of employees of Levi’s.

José Luis Ychuta is an exception to the rule. He was able to free himself from the sweatshop where he once lived and worked and now represents and defends the rights of 150 of his coworkers at the Spring factory, a licensed brand of Levi’s. Six years have passed since he begged the sweatshop owner for his identification documents in order to leave the shop where he was living and working 16 hour days. Today, he speaks face to face with the owner of Spring and the treasurer of the Chamber of Clothing, Mario Abbat, about wage increases and improvements in working conditions.

Jose Luis has integrated the Sewing Workers Union (Unión de Trabajadores Costureros), and La Alameda, a non-profit organization that takes on such issues of violations of workers’ rights, in order to revive the Garment Workers' Labor Union (Sindicato Obrero del Vestido y Afines). He is now 28 and has finished high school. He was not able to move on to the University, because of financial reasons. His father was a miner and taxi driver, his mother a craftswoman.  He grew up in the shantytown/city of El Alto, in La Paz, Bolivia with his four brothers. Since the age of 15 he would work summers. After finishing high school, desperate for work, he heard of an offer in Argentina from the aunt of a close friend named Marcos.  “You’re going to make a good salary and be able to buy whatever clothes you like”, she said, “I will pay for your food and housing, don’t worry.”  In reality, the aunt was actually a human trafficker that set up her own nephew, as well as his friend Jose Luis.  She took them to the border town of Villazón and paid for the trip across the northern half of Argentina to the neighborhood of Liniers. “[Traveling] with Marcos, it seemed it would be an adventure, but things were not as they seemed. She bought us nice meals, she was very obliging at first, but everything began to change the moment she forced me to give her my DNI [identification documents] in order to cross the border.”

Q: What were you thinking during the trip to Buenos Aires and when did you first enter the sweatshop?

A: In the beginning of the trip, the landscape looked a lot like Bolivia. Later, we began to see trees, greenery, the people looked different. Distinct clothes and their skin color. I thought of all that I was leaving behind. [Marcos' aunt] told us to bring few belongings, no more than one bag. When I entered the sweatshop on the corner of Larrazábal Avenue and Juan B. Alberdi, they placed me next to the kitchen. It was separated by a piece of plastic and there was a bunk bed. The first morning, Miriam (Marcos’ aunt) brought us bills (for the “cost of the trip”). Later, she told us that the pay was for garments and we would receive 30 cents. We would make the brand Rach Surf. We worked a lot and only were allowed a cup of tea for breakfast.  Sometimes I would look out the window. I wanted to locate where Bolivia was. I would see the people walking by and it all seemed grey. I wanted to walk [about freely] like them but immediately the head of the sweatshop would scold me, saying that the neighbors would be able to see and report him.

Q: What was the deal that the sweatshop owner made with you?

A: She told us that the Argentines hated the Bolivians because we work. She would threaten us saying that if the police saw us they would put us in prison. She had a good friendship with them [the police]. One Saturday afternoon with my friend Marcos walking through Liniers we saw the shirts we were making. We saw the price at which they were selling them in the mall. We returned and complained, but it didn’t matter to the head of the sweatshop.  She gave us a discount on the bus tickets, food, and lodging. After a month of work, I still had no money.  My friend and I thought about leaving, but we didn’t know where we were. Three months passed and we hadn’t been able to save any money, until I heard on the radio that garment workers were needed.  My friend had been fighting with his aunt and managed to get his return [to Bolivia], so I was left alone. I went to another shop that was more of the same and worse.  There I worked making jeans for a place on Avellaneda Street.

Q: How did you arrive at La Alameda?

A: One Sunday we went to Avellaneda Park with the people from the shop. I passed by the corner and Rogelio was selling choripán [Argentine sausage sandwich]. Another member [of La Alameda], Sasha, gave me a leaflet and told me that there was a meeting, which a few lawyers were going to attend, about our rights.  After that, I went to the head of the sweatshop to demand my rights [be adhered to]. We were locked/shut in the sweatshop without windows and full of grit.  We ate chicken carcasses with rice everyday. The head of the sweatshop would scold us if we opened a window. But thanks to the information I received from La Alameda, I began to change my attitude. The head of the sweatshop infuriated me, threatening me and my family in Bolivia if I reported them. One day the head of the sweatshop dismantled the shop and left. I ended up at La Alameda and Sasha connected me with the OIM (International Organization for Migrants). I spent 2 months living in the La Alameda [headquarters] and working in [La Alameda’s] Bakery venture. I learned how to make cakes, empanadas, and bread.

Q: Why did you stay in Argentina?

A: In order to help those worse off than myself.  Nobody talks to them about their rights, except in La Alameda, not on any radio [station] in the community do they tell the truth to garment workers.

Q: Why does the slave often come out in defense of the enslaver?

A: It’s the fear of the unfamiliarity of the place where you are, because you live locked up. Also, the ignorance of your rights and another big factor is the lack of an alternative. The State doesn’t help you. The Law can allow the ruling of the judge Sergio Torres, who confiscated machinery, to apply the law of assistance to the victims and make arrests in the big businesses, like the sweatshop owners, who are equally inhumane. Many argentines mistake a poorly dressed Bolivian guy for a garment worker, but often they are the foremen [and forewomen who run the sweatshops].  During Alacita [a Bolivian festival] it’s customary to make wishes and often times the [exploited] garment worker wishes to have his/her own shop in order to the same that was done to them.  

The original interview can be found at: http://sur.elargentino.com/notas/jose-luis-ychuta-de-esclavo-delegado-sindical-en-una-textil

Should you like to know more of Jose Luis' story - his experiences as a modern day slave laborer, or his current work towards helping others in similar situations, comment on this post or on the wall of the Facebook Group "La Alameda News".

This page was created as an English supplement to the "Fundacion La Alameda" and "La Alameda News" Facebook Groups, in order to provide periodical updates, raise international awareness of and support for the inspiring work which La Alameda continues to do. Here, longer posts and translated articles will be periodically posted. Below is a brief account of La Alameda and their history:


La Fundacion Alameda is a non-profit organization based in Buenos Aires, Argentina, which for years has been fighting for just labor laws and equality for Bolivian immigrant workers in Argentina. In recent years they have done a tremendous job in combating and exposing the intertwined problems of corruption, human trafficking, slave labor and urban sweatshops. More recently the organization has increased its focus on the exploitation of women and children.

A more thorough description of the history of La Alameda is listed below, as well as their ongoing list of denounced clothing brands (including Puma, Adidas and Fila) which have been found to use slave labor:

http://laalameda.wordpress.com/

The Cooperative 20th of December, commonly known as La Alameda, emerged from a Popular Assembly in the Parque Avellaneda neighborhood of Buenos Aires in 2002. The organization was formed as a response to the community's most pressing social issues at the time: hunger and unemployment. The Assembly's first concrete action was the creation of a community dining hall and picnic area, which serve 140 members of the community (mainly workers from the textile industry). La Alameda is part of the Program of Community Groups of the Secretary of Development of the Government of the City of Buenos Aires, under the inscription #460. Since 2002, La Alameda has continued to grow as an organization, in large part due to the tireless efforts of those who partake in its self sufficient community style of operation. The cooking, cleaning and other chores associated with the running of the dining hall are delegated on a weekly basis to those who eat there. In addressing the other main social issue which La Alameda was founded upon alleviating, the organization has created genuine jobs for the community, as a way to revive the culture of work and dignity in the community.