ED Slave labor at salt farm

This screenshot from SBS shows a man who is a victim of forced labor at a salt farm in Sinan County, South Jeolla Province.

The U.S. government has imposed an import ban on salt and salt products from Taepyung Salt Farm, located in the southwestern county of Sinan, South Jeolla Province. This action follows allegations of forced labor at the farm.

This marks the first time a South Korean exporter has faced an import ban from the U.S. due to forced labor allegations.

Last week, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a Withhold Release Order (WRO) against the salt farm, based on evidence suggesting the use of forced labor. U.S. law prohibits the import of any goods produced wholly or in part through convict or forced labor.

“The fight against forced labor is a top priority for CBP,” Pete Flores, CBP’s acting commissioner, said in a press release on April 3. “Products made with forced labor do not belong in the U.S.” The CBP emphasized that the import ban is part of its broader efforts to ensure a level playing field for law-abiding U.S. businesses.

The financial impact of the U.S. import ban on Korean salt farmers is likely to be minimal, as the majority of salt produced in South Korea is consumed domestically. Last year, South Korea produced 208,000 tons of salt, only 1.2 percent of which was exported.

Despite its limited financial effect, the ban should not be disregarded. Forced labor is a severe human rights violation that often involves various forms of abuse, including physical violence and intimidation.

In 2014, Sinan County was at the center of a slave labor controversy, when authorities investigated an employer accused of mistreating workers. Media reports exposed the horrific working conditions at salt farms, where workers faced threats, beatings and grueling hours. Their living and working conditions were described as abusive and inhumane.

The slave labor controversy dealt a significant blow to Sinan County, once renowned for producing the world’s highest-rated premium sea salt. However, the appalling labor conditions tarnished its reputation, leading some media outlets to label it a haven for slave labor. Some workers at the salt farms were identified as victims of human trafficking.

A thorough investigation into the practices at these farms resulted in the overhaul of many abusive labor conditions. However, progress remained slow at certain farms, as highlighted in a 2021 lawsuit against an employer who was later convicted of withholding years of wages from his workers.

In response to the CBP’s import ban, Taepyung Salt Farm denied the allegations, claiming that forced labor is a thing of the past. The farm stated that it has not been involved in any human rights violations. “We have never been contacted by the U.S. government or any related agencies regarding these allegations, nor has there been any on-site inspection,” the farm said in a statement following media reports on the import ban.

Taepyung Salt Farm, the largest in Korea, spans 463 hectares and accounts for 6 percent of the nation’s annual salt production. The farm operates on a contract basis, with 20 tenants running their own salt farms.

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries has sided with the salt farm, asserting that the sea salt exported to the U.S. was not produced through forced labor. The ministry stated that it conducts annual investigations into workforce treatment and labor practices to ensure workers are treated properly in accordance with the law. Furthermore, it vowed to collaborate with other relevant Cabinet ministries, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to present the CBP with evidence of the improved labor conditions in an effort to have the import ban lifted.

The CBP’s import ban highlights the interconnectedness of domestic and foreign policy issues. In a globalized world, a domestic problem can escalate into a foreign policy dispute, particularly when it involves violations of universally accepted values, such as human rights and fair competition.

To address the forced labor issue effectively, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries must adopt a two-pronged strategy.

First, as the ministry suggested, it should engage in robust bilateral diplomacy, backed by reliable data showcasing the efforts made over the past decade to eliminate forced labor practices at the salt farms. This approach could help convince the U.S. to lift the import ban.

Second, the ministry should continue its internal efforts to ensure that all private sector entities, large or small, adhere to a strict code of conduct. In addition to its annual inspections, the ministry should consider implementing unannounced on-site visits to salt farms to ensure compliance with the rules.

Forced labor is unacceptable. When such an issue arises in any industry, it tarnishes the entire sector’s reputation. Prevention is key to tackling forced labor, and ensuring strict oversight is the first step in safeguarding workers' rights.