Mon 31 May 2021:
The U.S. government said Friday it has blocked imports of tuna and other seafood harvested by a Chinese fishing fleet due to allegations of forced labor.
The move came as the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden steps up pressure on China amid concerns over its human rights violations, including against the Muslim Uyghur minority in China’s far-western Xinjiang region.
“Companies that exploit their workers have no place doing business in the United States,” Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas said in a press release that alleged Dalian Ocean Fishing Co. mistreats its workers.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection said it identified all 11 of the International Labor Organization’s indicators of forced labor during an investigation, including physical violence, withholding of wages, and abusive working and living conditions.
Indonesian workers have been among the victims, according to U.S. officials.
U.S. law prohibits the importation of merchandise produced, wholly or in part, by convict or forced labor.
CBP personnel at all U.S. ports of entry are expected to detain tuna, swordfish, and other seafood caught by Dalian Ocean Fishing, which operates more than 30 vessels. The company, based in China’s northeastern port city of Dalian, said on its website that it has supplied premium tuna also to the Japanese market.
