The object that I have selected to write about is sugarcane. As we know, the main byproduct of sugarcane is sugar, which most people consume on a daily basis. The world’s growing demand for sugarcane is the primary driver of sugarcane agriculture. In fact, it is the world’s largest crop by production quantity. In my reflection paper, I will be focusing on sugarcane workers in Nicaragua who are being exploited by a handful of wealthy families working with US agribuisiness.

The conditions that sugarcane workers face in Nicaragua have a profound impact on their local communities and health. In the municipality of Chichigalpa, Nicaragua “roughly half the male population is suffering from an often deadly kidney disease (chronic kidney failure) that appears to be linked to their work as sugarcane cutters.” (National Geographic, 2015). There is a clear correlation between the severe working conditions these men face and the development of chronic kidney failure disease. A former cane cutter described the working conditions as, “8 to 14 hours daily in temperatures often reaching 38C. They usually work a six or seven day week, cutting on average 7 tonnes of sugar cane every day.” (The Guardian, 2015). I am shocked by these inhumane working conditions and could not even imagine how physically grueling cane cutting must be. This is an example of how multinational organizations take advantage of poor landless workers in third-world countries for the pursuit of profit.

Sadly, companies that employ these sugarcane cutters take no responsibility for the cause of this disease. Despite the growing scientific view that chronic kidney failure is linked to harsh working conditions, Nicaraguan sugarcane companies refuse any connection between the two on their plantations. Sugarcane companies deny any harm to their workers health to avoid the compensation of medical costs. A spokesman for ISA, one of the major sugarcane companies in Nicaragua said, “the company cannot compensate for something that it has not caused.” (The Guardian, 2015). With complete denial from sugarcane companies, dying workers turn to the government for support. Although, the government is Nicaragua provides no help – they have been accused of abandoning the country’s peasants in pursuit of a political pact with big business.

Globalization and transnational production is creates tremendous global competition to meet the demands of businesses and consumers. In this case, the global demand for sugarcane is driving the growth of the industry. Globalization allows for capitalists to operate in countries with low minimum wages and soft regulations, to cheaply produce a commodity. With this strategy, corporations are able to create larger profit margins. The problem is that many large multinational corporations act unethically and exploit working conditions. The employees have no power to fight for their rights, and local governments turn a blind eye to regulation laws (if they even exist). This amounts to extreme inequality between corporations and workers.

Learning about how sugarcane is being produced in Nicaragua has significantly raised my awareness. Now knowing the brutal conditions these people face has given me a self-sense of duty to spread the word and educate my friends and family on this issue. Unfortunately, it is difficult to boycott sugarcane companies by no longer consuming sugar because it is an essential commodity. Nearly everyone on earth consumes sugar, and we are driving the production and consumption. However I believe we can take a stance by exposing those companies who are exploiting work regulations. We need to put pressure on the government and sugarcane companies so they make changes going forward.