Focus on the Food Chain has been hard at work seeking justice in the crushing death of Juan Baten, who was killed just over a year ago in a Brooklyn tortilla factory. We've been working closely with Juan's widow, Rosario, to honor Juan's memory, hold his employer accountable, and to do everything in our power to make sure such a tragedy isn't repeated in New York's food supply chain.
Many employers in the City's food processing and distribution sector,
like the Chinantla tortilla factory, have adopted a business model which relies on exploiting immigrant workers and cutting corners on safety. Brandworkers and our Focus on the Food Chain program are proud to help workers in the sector develop as leaders and wage successful campaigns to overcome this exploitation.
We succeeded in keeping the pressure on the employer and relevant government authorities; raising recognition of the dangers facing industrial food workers; and giving some solace to Rosario and the rest of Juan's family. Check out the media coverage below and learn more:
English
Counterpunch: "Anniversary of a Death in a New York Sweatshop," by Daniel Gross.
Daily News: "Dead worker’s girlfriend holds vigil at Brooklyn tortilla factory," by Erica Pearson.
DNAinfo: "Girlfriend Visits Tortilla Factory to Mark Anniversary of Bizarre Death," Meredith Hoffman.
Spanish
El Diario: "Sin mejoras laborales tras mortal accidente en tortillería," by Zaira Cortes.
Telemundo: "Exigen seguridad por muerte en fábrica"