In a groundbreaking lawsuit filed in California, four Indonesian fishermen are calling out Bumble Bee Foods, one of America’s leading canned tuna brands, for enabling and benefiting from severe labor abuses. The fishermen allege that during their time at sea, they faced extreme mistreatment, from inadequate food supplies—so dire they resorted to eating bait—to physical abuse from their captains.
One plaintiff, Muhammad Syafi’i, shared his harrowing experience of being denied medical treatment after suffering significant burns while working on a fishing vessel. He claims that the captain’s refusal to provide help turned a workplace accident into a life-threatening situation.
The fishermen allege that Bumble Bee was aware of the forced labor practices on the fishing boats that supply them, a claim that the company has not commented on due to the ongoing litigation. “I want justice,” Syafi’i stated in a heartfelt Zoom interview, emphasizing the need for accountability not just for himself but also for his colleagues still trapped in such hazardous conditions.
This lawsuit shines a light on the darker side of the tuna industry and raises urgent questions about ethical sourcing. As consumers become more aware of these issues, the outcome could have significant implications for the future of the seafood supply chain.
