Inside the prawn slave trade

Aldi, Coles, IGA and Woolworths have all issued statements confirming they stock goods supplied by Thai Union, the company hit by slavery claims uncovered in one of its prawn peeling factories. 

Poor migrant workers and children are being sold to factories in Thailand and forced to peel prawns that ends up in global supply chains, according to a shocking report from the Associated Press.

At the Gig Peeling Factory, nearly 100 Burmese labourers were trapped, most working for almost nothing. 

They spent 16 hours a day with their aching hands in ice water, ripping the guts, heads, tails and shells off prawns. One girl was so tiny she had to stand on a stool to reach the peeling table.

It is also feared the scandal could create a prawn shortage that would send prices soaring over the summer period, as customers pay more attention to tracking down local produce.  

All four supermarket chains have said they are taking the allegations very seriously, since the treatment of workers was uncovered.

Aldi, Coles and Woolworths have all committed to investigating their supply chains, according to The Age. 

A Woolworths spokesman told the newspaper: 'Thai Union is one of our suppliers as they are to most large western retailers and brands. We will investigate this further with our supplier and seek advice from our NGO partners.'

Coles confirmed it stocked frozen prawns purchased from Thai Union, but said its fresh ones were locally sourced.

A spokesman for the company said, according to the newspaper: 'Coles takes a proactive approach to labour standard issues and works closely with our suppliers, key NGOs and stakeholder groups including the International Labour Organisation to engage on these issues.'

An Aldi spokeswoman said the company will review the information provided as part of the AP's report. 

Environmental activist group Greenpeace also said this should serve as a wake-up call to Australian consumers, according to the newspaper.

'Without a doubt Australians are buying seafood, including prawns from Thai union, and unfortunately supporting these practices in Asia that are widespread,' campaigner Nathaniel Pelle said.

IGA Supermarkets said it was unable to rule out stocking Thai Union produce, but said the company was not its major supplier. 

(dailymail.co.uk)