Report References to occupational exposures Challenges faced by workers dormitories. The food provided to workers is unsanitary: For instance, there have been many occasions where workers have suffered from diarrhoea after eating at the factory cafeteria. The factory does not permit workers to leave the factory area during lunchtime and workers therefore cannot purchase their own food. “Tobacco industry”: Government of Zimbabwe, 10 companies and the Governments of their countries of domicile Companies: Alliance Once International Inc. British American Tobacco (BAT) PLC Chidziva Tobacco Processors (Private) Limited In May 2018, the Special Rapporteur and others brought to the attention of the Government of Zimbabwe information received concerning alleged human rights violations resulting from exposure of workers including children, to toxic chemicals while working in tobacco farming farms in Zimbabwe, specifically in Mashonaland West, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, and Manicaland. A similar communication was also addressed to 10 companies and to the Governments of their countries of domicile. At the time of drafting this report, there were no responses received from the Governments regarding the allegations. • Opaque supply chains and the transfer of hazardous work • Exploitation of those most at risk In 2018, there are approximately 100,000 registered tobacco farmers, comprising both large-scale and small-scale farmers. It is alleged that workers involved in tobacco production in Zimbabwe face serious health and safety risks. Workers allegedly have insufficient information, training, and equipment to protect themselves from exposure to pesticides and other toxic chemicals. Reports of workers hired on large-scale farms suggest that many workers, including some children, are coerced into working hours that are in excess of agreed time without overtime compensation. Some workers allege that they are denied their wages and forced to go weeks or months without pay. Workers who have refused to work overtime without additional pay have allegedly been dismissed or have been threatened with dismissal. • Informal economy • Inadequate standards of protection • Limited progress in prevention of exposure • Failures to realize the right to information 61 A/HRC/39/48 Workers reportedly suffer from nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, headaches, dizziness, skin irritation (particularly of the face), chest pain, blurred vision, eye irritation, respiratory irritation, and other symptoms of Green Tobacco Sickness (GTS), a type of nicotine poisoning that occurs while handling tobacco plants. Some of these adverse health impacts are Contraf Nicotex Tobacco reportedly developed from the application of pesticides on the tobacco farms. Long-term and chronic health effects of pesticide exposure include respiratory problems, cancer, depression, GmbH (CNT) neurologic deficits, and reproductive health problems. Imperial Brands PLC It is reported that neither government officials nor company representatives have provided Japan Tobacco Inc & workers with adequate information about nicotine poisoning and pesticide exposure, or with Japan International SA sufficient training or comprehensive education to protect themselves. Some workers reportedly are not provided with, and often lack the means to procure equipment necessary to protect Northern Tobacco themselves, despite legal provision requiring employers to ensure that workers handling (Private) Limited hazardous substances, including pesticides, are informed about the risks of the work, and Premium Tobacco provided with proper protective equipment. International DMCC It is alleged that in the tobacco industry in Zimbabwe children are involved in work on farms and Universal Corporation other parts of the production process and do so in hazardous conditions, often performing tasks that threaten their health and safety or interfere with their education. It is reported that during the China National Tobacco Corporation & Tian Ze Tobacco Company