Challenges
Will Canneries Offer Fair Jobs?
The fishing industry reaps a real bounty from Alaskan waters. Workers are paid low wages and expected to work exceptionally long hours. Some of the companies expect their laborers to supply their own housing - usually in tent cities - and their own meals. If they do not complete the entire season they are expected to buy very expensive tickets back home, and they often find themselves stranded. This burdens Alaska’s already stretched social services.
We challenge these companies - many of which are national or multinational companies - to provide better wages, living conditions and more conscionable contracts.
One of the goals of Alaska Humanity News is to explore everyday events and situations that escape attention because they are omnipresent. CHALLENGES is one of these features. Look through this edition to find other unusual features.
Coming soon: the official response.