The meat industry exploits migrant workers

Question: Should you go vegan?
Position‹2 of 2: Eating animal products is unethical
Argument‹2 of 5›: The meat industry exploits migrant workers

The meat industry is infamous for mistreatment of workers and violation of workers' rights.

The argument

Workers in the meat processing industry are in constant physical danger because of the methods that corporations make them employ. The most efficient methods and machinery are often dangerous. Most injuries and deaths could be prevented. Workers are constantly reminded of how they can be instantly replaced and are often made to work overtime to keep their jobs. We should stop eating meat and put an end to the inhumane treatment of workers in the meat industry.

Premises

[P1]The meat processing industry subjects workers, often vulnerable migrants, to dangerous conditions and exploitative pressures that could be prevented. [P2] Consumer demand for meat sustains this industry and its exploitation of workers. [P3] We should not participate in systems that inflict preventable harm on workers. [C] Therefore, eating animal products is unethical and we should go vegan.

Counter-arguments

The meat industry is not the issue here. The issue is the misconduct of meat corporations. Instead of stopping eating meat, there needs to be more severe regulations and more frequent checks in factories in the industry. Merely terminating the industry would put thousands out of jobs and be worse for the workers.

Rejecting the premises

[Rejecting P2] The issue is not inherent in the industry. The standards policing meat corporations needs to be changed, rather than a condemnation of the industry itself.