UN Experts Warn Ecuador Failing to Enforce Ruling on Slavery-Like Abuses at Furukawa Plantations

The experts warned that both the Ecuadorian State and the company have failed to implement court-ordered reparations, despite a historic judgment confirming decades of systematic abuse.

More than a year after Ecuador’s Constitutional Court recognised slavery-like conditions at Furukawa Plantaciones C.A., victims of forced labour and servitude remain trapped in extreme precarity, United Nations human rights experts said today.

The experts warned that both the Ecuadorian State and the company have failed to implement court-ordered reparations, despite a historic judgment confirming decades of systematic abuse.

“It is deeply concerning that, despite this landmark ruling, neither Furukawa nor the Ecuadorian State has fully complied with the reparations ordered by the Constitutional Court,” the experts said.

Court Found Forced Labour, Servitude and Child Labour

In its ruling issued on 5 December 2024, Ecuador’s highest court found that Furukawa subjected workers to forced labour, servitude, child labour, and denied them access to decent work, health care, education, adequate housing, equality and non-discrimination.

The court also ruled that the Ecuadorian State failed for decades to prevent or stop these abuses, allowing them to continue until at least 2018. It ordered comprehensive reparations for 342 victims, including economic compensation, social protection, and guarantees of non-repetition.

To date, implementation has been largely symbolic, limited to a public apology issued by the Government in May 2025.

Alleged Harassment and Retaliation by the Company

UN experts said Furukawa has reportedly rejected the ruling and engaged in systematic retaliation against plaintiffs, including filing unfounded criminal complaints and offering minimal out-of-court settlements.

All plaintiffs have allegedly been dismissed from their jobs, leaving many unemployed, while some have been rehired under highly precarious conditions. The company is also accused of running a public stigmatisation campaign, portraying victims as opportunistic claimants—despite three judicial rulings confirming the existence of slavery-like practices.

“Not only did Furukawa subject workers to decades of severe exploitation, it has now re-victimised survivors instead of recognising their rights and complying with the Constitutional Court’s orders,” the experts said.

Despite the ruling, Furukawa remains operational and continues exporting abacá, raising concerns about ongoing impunity.

Heightened Risks for Survivors and Defenders

The experts also expressed alarm over the lack of effective State action to ensure material reparations and protect survivors and human rights defenders.

Some victims have reportedly attempted to occupy company land in an effort to secure reparations and now face eviction. Furukawa is also allegedly planning to transfer productive land to other agricultural companies, raising fears that related entities could be used to evade compliance with the court-mandated reparations.

“This failure to act has created a high-risk environment for survivors and those defending their rights,” the experts warned.

Urgent Call for Full Implementation

The experts stressed that Ecuador has a critical opportunity to uphold justice and prevent the recurrence of slavery-like practices.

“Ecuador must implement the Constitutional Court’s ruling in full and without delay,” they said. “Both the State and Furukawa must ensure comprehensive reparations, protection for victims, and effective measures to prevent repetition of these grave human rights violations.”

“Failure to do so risks escalating tensions and placing the lives of survivors—who have already endured decades of abuse—at further risk.”

The experts confirmed they remain in contact with both the Ecuadorian Government and Furukawa regarding the case.