- First U.S. lawsuit against a seafood company for maritime forced labor under human trafficking laws
- Fishermen allege beatings, debt bondage, and denied medical care on Chinese-owned vessels
- Follows 2020 U.S. import ban tied to forced labor in Bumble Bee's supply network
- Case seeks unpaid wages and contract reforms for offshore fishing crews
- Global fishing industry faces $24B annual losses from illegal labor practices
Four Indonesian fishermen have launched a groundbreaking lawsuit against Bumble Bee Foods, accusing the canned tuna giant of profiting from forced labor in its overseas supply chain. Filed in San Diego federal court, the case marks the first attempt to hold a U.S. seafood corporation liable for maritime human trafficking under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act.
The plaintiffs detail harrowing working conditions aboard Chinese longline fishing vessels that supplied albacore tuna to Bumble Bee. One deckhand described being struck with a metal hook and ordered to keep working with a leg wound exposing bone. Another crew member reported cooking burns left untreated unless he purchased medical supplies from the ship's store.
Industry analysts note this case reflects broader accountability trends, with 63% of Fortune 500 companies now facing supply chain transparency mandates. The global fishing sector remains particularly vulnerable, with the International Labour Organization estimating 128,000 workers trapped in forced labor aboard commercial vessels.
A 2023 Southeast Asia case study reveals Thailand's reformed fishing regulations reduced labor violations by 40% since 2017 through satellite monitoring and port inspections. The Bumble Bee lawsuit proposes similar reforms, demanding Wi-Fi access for crew distress calls and requirements for vessels to regularly dock for independent oversight.
Legal experts highlight the case's novel application of anti-trafficking laws to corporate supply chains. If successful, it could establish precedent requiring U.S. importers to audit overseas labor practices. Bumble Bee's 2020 acquisition by Taiwan-based FCF Company adds complexity, as the named defendant previously faced Customs bans over slave-caught seafood.
The fishermen seek compensation for years of unpaid wages alongside policy changes. Their demands include medical staff aboard vessels and elimination of exploitative debt schemes. With 34% of wild-caught U.S. seafood imports now subject to forced labor risk assessments, this case could reshape procurement standards across the $400B global fishing industry.
