Bristol tobacco company accused of exploiting African farmers in new film
"Tobacco Slave" made by the University of Bath, alleges the company is trapping farmers in a form of modern slavery
Bristol has hosted the UK premiere of a new documentary highlighting the alleged exploitation of African farmers in the tobacco industry.
"Tobacco Slave" has been created by the Tobacco Control Research Group (TCRS) from the University of Bath in partnership with the global tobacco industry watchdog STOP, to show how farmers in third world countries are being used - it is alleged - effectively as slaves to help make multi-national corporations billions of dollars.
The film focuses on the experiences of tobacco farmers in Malawi who work for tobacco leaf-buying companies for very little pay, and who have to endure poor working conditions.
It also reflects on Bristol's role in the slave trade and alleges a form of modern slavery is continuing, with companies including Imperial Brands, which is based in the city, continuing to exploit workers.
“I thank Davies, Ellen, James and Prince for sharing their experiences,” director Roy Maconachie said, referencing the farmers featured in the film.
"A common theme is that they know they’re being exploited; they had been led to believe that tobacco could help them create a better life for their children.
"It’s a drive that any parent can understand, but they are pursuing this goal under a system that is designed to benefit the industry, not the farmer.
"‘Tobacco Slave’ reveals an urgent need to help tobacco farmers transition to more economically and environmentally sustainable crops.”
"The farmers in the film perform backbreaking labour in a system that can keep them in a cycle of debt and poverty," Jorge Alday, director at STOP, said.
"This is not, however, the only way the industry perpetuates inequity.
"It also engages in racist targeting of specific groups to increase cigarette sales, especially in poorer countries.
"Governments should make the tobacco industry pay for the harm it has caused to everyone from the grower to the consumer."
In the film the farmers discuss not earning enough to buy basic furniture for their homes.
They describe children working alongside their parents in unsafe conditions, being exposed to disease from handling tobacco leaf, and lacking education because they either can’t take the time to attend school or are too exhausted.
Commenting, STOP says current practices in the tobacco industry bear "a disturbing resemblance to colonial-era exploitation" in Africa.
Bristol is in sharp focus as Imperial Brands, which is based in the city, evolved from the Wills company, a tobacco business founded in the city in 1786 and the first British company to mass-produce cigarettes.
It is one of two global cigarette companies facing a legal suit brought on behalf of thousands of tobacco farmers in Malawi, alleging that it facilitated or encouraged exploitative working practices.
In a statement released in response to the film an Imperial Brands spokesperson said: “We are aware of claims made against Imperial, as these are the subject of ongoing legal proceedings in the UK.
"We continue to defend these claims vigorously.
“We have a long-standing commitment to human rights in our supply chain and take the welfare of farmers seriously.
"We want to contribute to alleviating poverty in our supply chain and, working through our tobacco leaf suppliers, we fund projects to improve social, economic, and environmental standards.
“The focus of these ongoing projects in Malawi, and other tobacco-growing countries, is on education, drinking water, sanitation & hygiene, worker accommodation, and enhancing farmers’ financial security.”
You can watch the documentary below: