Oskar Wallin Comm 101

Chicken Supplier Baiada who provide goods for KFC, Subway and McDonalds are suspected of exploiting workers in Australia (Patty, Anna).

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:McDonald%27s_Golden_Arches.svg

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:McDonald%27s_Golden_Arches.svg

http://www.payoom.com/updates/kfc-cost-per-sale-campaign-now-live-payoom/

A group called ‘Fair Work Ombudsman’ have been investigating Baiada’s activity for the last couple of years. FWO is a non profit organization that works to improve labour conditions (About Us). Their findings are staggering. Baiada uses a number of contractors to accommodate their supply. Employees are forced to work 18 hour shifts with low pay. In addition to that the workers are sometimes paying rent to stay in housing provided by the company. 21 workers are staying in slum like conditions and are illegally getting salary deducted for housing. FWO were unable to get sufficient information from the companies books and several documents were suspected missing or fabricated.

(Patty, Anna)

(http://metro.co.uk/2015/07/23/several-infected-with-salmonella-after-kissing-and-cuddling-chickens-5309324/)

Baiada claim that they were unaware of these issues. This raises an important question in terms of ethics. Baiada outsources in order to protect the company (Om, Jason). Is it the responsibility of Baiada to be aware of its contractors methods? These complications often arise for major businesses (For Example Adidas). Incidents like this often lead to negative brand association for the business but should Baiada pay damages due to the actions of contractors? Clearly the actions of the contractors are inexcusable. The debate is weather Baiada should be held accountable if FWO’s allegations prove to be correct. In todays business climate, is plausible deniability enough of an excuse or should the business be expected to be aware of everything the suppliers are doing. Another issue for the business is that large amounts of profit is unaccounted for. In terms of ethics, what is the appropriate plan of action for labour organisations and governments in a situation like this? Is there even sufficient proof for government intervention? Personally, I believe that a full investigation of all documents and workplaces should be granted in order to avoid the exploitation of these workers.

Bibliography:

“About Us.” Fair Work Ombudsman. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2015. <http://www.fairwork.gov.au/about-us>.

Om, Jason. “Foreign Workers Exploited at Baiada Chicken Processing Plants: Investigation.” ABC News. N.p., 17 June 2015. Web. 16 Sept. 2015. <http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06-17/foreign-workers-exploited-at-baiada-plant-investigation-reveals/6554570>.