Another damning revelation has come to light regarding the tragic death of a teenager at Mar-Jac Poultry in Mississippi. Duvan Pérez, who was just 16 years old when he died on the job in July, was reportedly hired illegally using the identity of a man twice his age. This shocking discovery highlights the lack of oversight in dangerous occupations like those in the meat industry, where the abuse of migrant children appears to be rampant.
According to recent reports, Pérez used the identification of a 32-year-old man when he was hired to work at Mar-Jac Poultry, a supplier of chicken to companies such as Chick-fil-A, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Police documents obtained by NBC News reveal that the Hattiesburg Police Department has received multiple reports in the past three years from American citizens claiming that their identities were stolen and used by Mar-Jac workers. Some individuals reportedly lodged complaints with the company, but no action was taken.
It is important to note that employing minors in slaughterhouses is illegal, as these workplaces are among the most dangerous in the world. Pérez’s death marks the third fatal incident at the Mar-Jac facility in less than three years and adds to the history of child labor violations attributed to the company.
In a separate case in October 2021, a couple was convicted of illegally supplying undocumented workers, including several minors, to a Mar-Jac Poultry-owned slaughterhouse in Jasper, Alabama.
The exploitation of migrant children in the meat industry is an ongoing crisis across the United States. In a federal investigation conducted in February, it was revealed that over 100 children, some as young as 13, were illegally employed in hazardous occupations at 13 slaughterhouses in the country. NBC News recently released a documentary titled Slaughterhouse Children, detailing their yearlong investigation into child labor in the United States.
Slaughterhouses not only subject animals to unimaginable suffering but also put workers at great risk. The high-speed slaughter lines often lead to errors by workers, resulting in many birds remaining conscious when their throats are slit or when they are immersed in scalding hot water for defeathering. The hazardous conditions also pose risks to workers, who must handle sharp tools above surfaces often covered in grease, blood, and offal.
To alleviate the suffering of animals and protect vulnerable workers in the meat industry, choosing a vegan lifestyle is a powerful action individuals can take.
By shedding light on these troubling revelations and advocating for change, we can work towards creating a safer and more compassionate world for both animals and workers alike.