In a shocking account of working conditions at sea, four Indonesian fishermen have stepped forward with serious allegations against Bumble Bee Foods, one of the long-standing brands in the U.S. canned tuna industry. The plaintiffs believe they are fighting against a system that has ignored their suffering due to forced labor practices on vessels that supply tuna to the company.
In their lawsuit filed in California’s federal court, the fishermen detailed their experiences, with one stating they endured starvation and were compelled to eat bait on a fishing ship. Another described severe beatings by a captain using a metal hook, while a third, who suffered extensive burns in a kitchen mishap, revealed that he received no medical attention and was left to self-treat with Vaseline.
These fishermen claim that Bumble Bee Foods not only turned a blind eye to the mistreatment but that it profited from these suppliers' abhorrent practices. The company, headquartered in San Diego, has refrained from commenting on the pending litigation.
Muhammad Syafi’i, one of the plaintiffs, expressed his desire for justice during a Zoom interview from Yogyakarta, Indonesia. He recounted being forced to hand over nearly half of his monthly salary of $320 to the ship’s operators while also working as a cook and fisherman. Following a serious injury from a hot oil spill, Syafi’i was relieved to be allowed to return home but emphasized the need for accountability for himself and his fellow workers still at sea.
The broader implications of this lawsuit could resonate throughout the fishing industry as it raises critical concerns regarding labor practices and human rights standards in seafood supply chains.
In their lawsuit filed in California’s federal court, the fishermen detailed their experiences, with one stating they endured starvation and were compelled to eat bait on a fishing ship. Another described severe beatings by a captain using a metal hook, while a third, who suffered extensive burns in a kitchen mishap, revealed that he received no medical attention and was left to self-treat with Vaseline.
These fishermen claim that Bumble Bee Foods not only turned a blind eye to the mistreatment but that it profited from these suppliers' abhorrent practices. The company, headquartered in San Diego, has refrained from commenting on the pending litigation.
Muhammad Syafi’i, one of the plaintiffs, expressed his desire for justice during a Zoom interview from Yogyakarta, Indonesia. He recounted being forced to hand over nearly half of his monthly salary of $320 to the ship’s operators while also working as a cook and fisherman. Following a serious injury from a hot oil spill, Syafi’i was relieved to be allowed to return home but emphasized the need for accountability for himself and his fellow workers still at sea.
The broader implications of this lawsuit could resonate throughout the fishing industry as it raises critical concerns regarding labor practices and human rights standards in seafood supply chains.
