Ecuador Constitutional Court recognizes slavery practices on Furukawa plantations

The Constitutional Court of Ecuador has ruled in favor of the workers of the Furukawa plantations in a groundbreaking decision. After nearly six years of struggle the Court recognized the modern slavery practices of the Japanese company Furukawa, which exposed Afro-Ecuadorian workers to extreme conditions for decades. A conviction at the highest judicial level, which also means that Furukawa can no longer appeal and must pay compensation to 342 victims. This historic decision, the first in Ecuador on slavery and structural racism, sets a binding legal precedent.

The court ordered Furukawa to pay damages to 342 victims and ordered the company to issue a public apology. It also set up legal reforms and memorial initiatives to address the structural causes of slavery. 11.11.11-partner CDES played a crucial role in this case. 

Segundo Ordóñez, human rights activist and former Furukawa employee, shares his experiences and vision for the future. 

You have lived and worked part of your life on the abacá plantations of the Furukawa companies. Can you tell us a bit more about that?

I worked there out of sheer necessity. Our parents never be able to give the chance to go to school, and we couldn't teach ourselves, so I never learned to read or write. The only thing we learned was to work on the abacá plantations. The work was hard and often made me sad.  

What motivated you to stand up to the company and fight for the rights of Furukawa workers?

I took action because I could no longer bear to see the suffering of others. Children who were hungry, mothers who had no money for a bar of soap or a simple cream. That extreme poverty affected me deeply. I am very religious and prayed to God for help, for a way to make this known.  

During the administration of Rafael Correa, the former president of Ecuador, I tried to contact the government, but we didn't get a response. It wasn't until the Human Rights Committee (CEDU) got involved that we were able to tell our story. That was the moment I realized that human rights exist and that we must defend them.

What challenges and dangers did you face during this struggle?

Constant threats. Even some other employees silenced me so I kept my mouth shut. But thanks to CEDU's support, I was given the strength to continue. They helped us with food, transportation, legal advice for court cases and everything we needed. It was the first time I realized what a decent life should look like.  

Also 11.11.11-partner CDES guided us from the beginning in our legal battle and played an important role in the (international) attention of the case. They provided food to workers who lost their jobs and also guaranteed the safety of all workers.

All this gave me the motivation to keep fighting. Because the fight is not over yet. Even now that we have achieved a victory, there will be other people I have to support.  

In December, the Constitutional Court ruled in your favor. What does this decision mean? What do you think will change now?

The decision is truly a major victory. The Court recognizes that we have been exploited for years, that we were right in our struggle and that gives hope for a better life. Maybe now we can get some land to grow crops like yucca, watermelons and bananas. It is a step forward, and also a chance to leave a better future for the next generations.  

But companies like Furukawa remain arrogant. They have made a so-called public apology, but they did so without involving us. According to our lawyers, all 342 affected employees should be present at such an apology, together with national and international media to draw attention to the case. What they did was just for show.

How do you see the future of labor rights in Ecuador? What are your hopes?

There is still much work to be done. There are communities such as Monterrey, El Búa and La Villega where families still live in slavery. They have no access to water, electricity or health care and they do not know their rights. I want to reach them and tell them what we have achieved, so that they can also make their voices heard. It is a long struggle, but it is worth it.

I hope this decision is a start and that we can continue to fight together for a more dignified life. No one should have to live in such conditions. It is time for people to raise their voices and fight for their rights.