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Date Submitted: 10/11/2016 03:05 PM
CASE ANALYSIS:
ASSIGNMENT #2
Natural Fruit Company and Migrant Workers
Rights
Gurvir Kaler
Student #: 213561766
Professor Brian Walsh
11/19/2014
Step 1: Main Features of the Case
Natural Fruit Company is a Thai fruit wholesaler who specializes in manufacturing,
distributing and supplying mostly pineapple canned fruit concentrates and cocktail products to
various European businesses. In 2013 and 2014 Natural Fruit Company has attracted negative
publicity for its attempt to sue a human rights activist Andy Hall from Finnwatch. In 2013, Andy
researched and wrote a report published by Finnwatch that claimed Natural Fruit Company of
abusing many of Thailand’s labour laws. The report alleged the company of many labour abuses and
forced child labour on its migrant workers who come from countries such as Cambodia, Laos and
Myanmar. These workers were not being paid minimum wage, had salary deductions, confiscation of
their passports and were forced to work overtime hours. After this report was released, Natural Fruit
Company denied the accusations and sued Andy $10 million USD for charges of criminal
defamation. Also, British Newspaper, The Independent states that, “the Thailand government had
been continuously defending the rights of the company to pursue Andy through its courts because
Natural Fruit Company’s factory is owned by the elder brother of a former labour minister in the
Thai government.” (The Independent). According to BBC Watchdog, “on October 29, 2014, a court
in Prakanong dismissed the defamation case concerning the interview that Andy gave to Al-Jazeera
about the company’s alleged worker rights abuses.” (BBC Watchdog). Natural Fruit Company
appealed the court’s decision and Andy still faces other charges of Thailand defamation and
violating the Computer Crime Act. Many European companies, trade unions and NGOs have called
for the charges against Andy to be dropped as he could face up to 7 years in prison. Andy’s
preliminary...