Comment Section for Sugar in India, Fueled by Child Marriage and Hysterectomies - The New York Times

This New York Times article reveals the brutal conditions and labor exploitation in the sugar cane industry in India, particularly in the state of Maharashtra. The investigation uncovers a system of child labor, forced marriages, and unnecessary hysterectomies that support the sugar production for companies like Coke and Pepsi. Young girls are pushed into illegal child marriages to work alongside their husbands in the fields, and instead of receiving wages, they work to pay off debts to their employers. This financial entrapment often leads to hysterectomies, as labor brokers loan money for the surgeries. The article highlights the lasting consequences of these operations and the cycle of debt that keeps workers trapped in the fields. Major brands like Coca-Cola and PepsiCo, who source sugar from Maharashtra, claim to have policies against child and forced labor but rarely monitor their supply chains effectively. The article calls attention to the need for greater oversight and action to address these human rights abuses.