Suicide of packing plant employee reveals poor working conditions

The death of Juan Carlos Soto, a 47-year-old migrant worker who took his own life at work in one of the largest meatpacking plants in the San Joaquin Valley, Central Valley Meat, reveals poor working conditions, pressure, and a lack of psychological care.

The packing plant has a questionable track record for the way it has treated its employees since the pandemic, exposing them to COVID-19, paying low wages, exerting work pressure, and failing to provide psychological support. In fact, some workers reported that they were forced to work after Juan Carlos Soto took his own life.

This is the voice of a former employee of the packing plant who reported on social media what is happening at that packing plant in the San Joaquin Valley and that half of its employees are migrants, according to the Center for Economic and Policy Research.

Melissa Montalvo, a reporter for The Fresno Bee and contributor to Radio Bilingüe, began a journalistic investigation into the case…

She says she spoke with Juan Carlos Soto’s wife, who told her about his working conditions and stress.

Melissa Montalvo, a journalist with the Fresno Bee and contributor to RB, said that Juan Carlos Soto’s wife, although it was difficult for her, is doing this to prevent others from doing the same.

She points out that this packing plant is an example of how this industry is considered high risk by Cal/OSHA, the state occupational health and safety regulatory agency, which is also investigating the fatality.

Furthermore, many people in this industry do not have the proper documentation to work, which makes them more vulnerable and less likely to demand their rights.

Finally, Melissa Montalvo, a journalist with the Fresno Bee and a contributor to RB, reminds us that we must seek to raise awareness among companies about workers’ mental health issues.

She says that the suicide rate has increased mainly due to anti-immigrant policies, according to a study by the University of Utah.

Remember the number 988, or lifeline 988.