Entre Ríos: Rural Workers Lived in Silo Bag Shacks, Drank from Agrochemical Drums
An inspection in Entre Ríos uncovered severe labor and housing abuses at a rural establishment. Workers and their families lived for over a decade in precarious shacks made from silo bags, lacking sanitary facilities. Crucially, they drank water from reused agrochemical drums, posing significant health risks due to residual toxins. The operation also identified unregistered workers, leading authorities to initiate administrative actions for these egregious irregularities and dangers.
The Entre Ríos Labor Secretariat, in conjunction with ARCA and UATRE, conducted an operation at a rural establishment in Lucas Sud 2°, Villaguay, uncovering grave labor and housing violations. Inspectors found workers and their families living in highly precarious conditions, inhabiting shacks constructed from discarded silo bags with dirt floors and rudimentary straw and plastic roofs, often for over a decade. These dwellings also lacked basic sanitary facilities. A critical concern was the workers' practice of reusing agrochemical drums and other containers to store and access drinking water. Experts highlight the severe health risks associated with this, as agrochemical plastics can retain toxic residues, potentially causing acute intoxications, chronic illnesses like cancer, hormonal disorders, respiratory diseases, and adverse effects on offspring and the immune system. The proper protocol dictates that empty agrochemical drums must undergo a “triple wash” and be recycled for industrial use, with refilling or domestic use strictly prohibited due to these dangers. Furthermore, the investigation revealed labor irregularities, with at least two workers found operating without proper registration. As a direct consequence of these findings, authorities, including Provincial Director of Labor Juan Pablo Irurueta, immediately initiated administrative actions and drew up corresponding records to address the severe irregularities and mitigate the profound health and safety risks posed to the rural workers and the environment.
