Amy Schumer and Alyssa Milano urge fans to boycott fast food chain Wendy’s

‘Wendy's is the only fast food chain refusing to protect farmworker women from sexual assault and rape in the fields,’ comedian wrote on Instagram

(Getty Images)

Celebrities including Amy Schumer and Alyssa Milano are urging fans to boycott Wendy's, amid claims the American fast food chain does not provide its farmworkers with adequate protection.

The call to action comes after Chance The Rapper tweeted about his liking for the restaurant's spicy chicken nuggets on Saturday.

"Positive affirmations for today: I WILL have a good day, I WILL succeed today, Wendy's WILL bring back spicy nuggets at some point please please Lord let it be today," the rapper tweeted.

Two days later, Wendy's announced it was bringing spicy chicken nuggets back to its menu, following Chance The Rapper's plea.

While many fans of the fast food chain rejoiced in the news, comedian Schumer responded by highlighting Wendy's' alleged refusal to "protect farmworker women".

"Hey! We love @chancetherapper and hate to be the ones to tell him that Wendy's is the only fast food chain refusing to protect farmworker women from sexual assault and rape in the fields. This is true. Please read that sentence again," the comedian wrote on Instagram.

"Message for the people in charge: Instead of spicy nuggets, we want food that is harvested with dignity NOT violence."

Schumer ended the caption by imploring Wendy's to join the Coalition of Immokalee Workers' Fair Food Programme, and asked fans to boycott the company.

The Fair Food Programme, as stated on its website, is a "unique partnership among farmers, farmworkers, and retail food companies that ensures humane wages and working conditions for the workers who pick fruits and vegetables on participating farms".

Companies that have partnered with the programme include McDonald's, Burger King, Whole Foods, Subway and Walmart.

According to the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, Wendy's "stands alone" as one of the last largest food corporations in the US "who has refused to join the Fair Food Programme and respect the rights and dignity of farmworkers in its supply chain".

The Fair Food Programme benefits around 35,000 labourers in the US and has helped to improve the working conditions for individuals in the tomato industry, the New York Times states.

Charmed star Milano also criticised Wendy's for not joining the programme.

"This is about sexual violence against women in the workplace, the only programme proven to end that violence in the US agricultural industry, and your refusal to join that programme, plain and simple," the actor and activist wrote on Instagram.

Wendy's has since issued a response, stating that all of its suppliers must follow the company's Supplier Code of Conduct, which "includes requirements to human rights and labour practices".

"This is a complex issue, but be assured that we do not purchase the field grown product that the Fair Food Programme covers. In fact, Wendy’s is proud to only purchase tomatoes from indoor hydroponic North American farms," the statement reads, according to Delish.

"We are excited about the superior quality of these tomatoes, and this move further strengthens our commitment to responsible sourcing practices by providing safe, indoor working conditions, shelter from the elements and environmental contaminants, reduced water and land use burdens, and a significantly reduced need for chemical pesticides."