Four Workers File Groundbreaking Lawsuit Against Major U.S. Seafood Company
Four Indonesian fishermen filed a lawsuit on March 12 against Bumble Bee Seafoods, alleging they suffered beatings and were trapped on vessels that supplied tuna to the canned seafood giant. The case, filed under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, marks what their attorney calls the first forced labor at sea lawsuit brought against a U.S. seafood company. The fishermen claim they worked on Chinese-owned longline vessels that were part of Bumble Bee’s albacore tuna supply chain, where they endured physical abuse and dangerous working conditions and were prevented from leaving despite requests to return home.
5 Key Points
- Four Indonesian fishermen filed a lawsuit on March 12, 2025, against Bumble Bee Seafoods for alleged forced labor violations.
- The lawsuit claims the men were beaten and trapped on Chinese-owned vessels that supplied tuna to Bumble Bee.
- One fisherman alleges he was struck with a metal hook and forced to work despite a severe leg injury.
- The vessels reportedly remained at sea while supply ships provided provisions and collected the catch.
- Attorney Agnieszka Fryszman says this is the first such forced labor at sea case against a U.S. seafood company.
What Allegations Do the Indonesian Fishermen Make Against Bumble Bee Seafoods?
The lawsuit filed on Wednesday details disturbing accounts of abuse allegedly endured by four Indonesian fishermen while working on vessels that supplied tuna to Bumble Bee Seafoods. According to court documents, the men worked on longline vessels owned by Chinese companies that were part of Bumble Bee’s albacore tuna supply chain. The fishermen claim they were subjected to regular beatings by their captains and forced to continue working despite serious injuries. One fisherman, identified as Akhmad, stated he was hit with a metal hook and compelled to continue working after suffering a leg injury where fish gashed his leg to the bone. Another worker named Syafi’i reported receiving no medical attention for severe burns before being ordered back to work to “pay to eat.” The lawsuit alleges these practices violated the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, which allows foreigners who experienced human trafficking to sue U.S. businesses that knew or should have known they were profiting from forced labor.
How Were Workers Allegedly Trapped in Bumble Bee’s Supply Chain?
The lawsuit describes a system where fishermen were effectively trapped on vessels that remained at sea for extended periods. According to attorney Agnieszka Fryszman, the boats stayed out in the ocean while supply ships provided provisions and collected the caught fish, eliminating opportunities for workers to leave. The fishermen allegedly accumulated debt from food bills and other fees while facing the threat of financial penalties if they attempted to quit. Court documents state the men repeatedly asked to return home and even attempted to strike while on board the vessels. “What you see is really devastating,” Fryszman said regarding the conditions her clients allegedly experienced. The complaint argues that Bumble Bee should be held responsible for these labor practices as they occurred within their supply chain. Fryszman states, “U.S. companies that benefit from forced labor and undercut other businesses need to be held accountable.”
What Previous Warnings Did Bumble Bee Receive About Labor Conditions?
The lawsuit claims Bumble Bee had received warnings about inhumane conditions in its supply chain over several years. In 2020, accounts of abusive conditions and forced labor prompted the United States to halt imports from a Taiwan-based fishing vessel that reportedly supplied the global tuna trading company that acquired Bumble Bee Seafoods that same year. The court documents note that none of the current plaintiffs worked on that specific vessel but argue the company should have been aware of broader labor issues within their industry. The global fishing industry has long struggled with labor abuses, with workers subjected to brutal treatment, often with little or no pay. Congress recognized these issues and approved legislation in 2016 providing additional authority to crack down on forced labor following an investigation that found seafood caught by enslaved workers in Southeast Asia was entering U.S. markets and restaurants.
What Reforms Are the Fishermen Seeking Through Their Lawsuit?
Beyond seeking compensation for unpaid wages and the abuse they allegedly suffered, the fishermen are pursuing broader systemic changes to prevent similar situations in the future. According to Fryszman, her clients want companies like Bumble Bee to implement contractual requirements for vessels in their supply chain. These proposed changes include mandating that fishing vessels regularly bring in their catch rather than remaining at sea indefinitely, providing medical care onboard ships, and offering Wi-Fi service so workers can communicate with the outside world and seek help. This case follows a previous lawsuit Fryszman handled in 2018, where two Indonesian fishermen who claimed they were enslaved on an American fishing boat settled with the vessel’s California-based owner seven years after escaping and receiving special U.S. visas as victims of human trafficking. The current lawsuit represents an escalation in legal challenges against major seafood corporations rather than individual vessel owners.
FAQ
Q: Who filed the lawsuit against Bumble Bee Seafoods?
A: Four Indonesian fishermen filed the lawsuit, including Akhmad and Syafi’i, who were represented by attorney Agnieszka Fryszman.
Q: What specific allegations do the fishermen make in their lawsuit?
A: The fishermen allege they were beaten regularly by captains, forced to work while injured, denied medical care, trapped on vessels that remained at sea, and accumulated debt through food bills and fees.
Q: When was the lawsuit against Bumble Bee Seafoods filed?
A: The lawsuit was filed on Wednesday, March 12, 2025.
Q: What law allows these foreign workers to sue a U.S. company?
A: The fishermen filed their case under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, which permits foreigners who suffered from human trafficking to sue U.S. businesses that knew or should have known they were profiting from forced labor.
Q: Has Bumble Bee responded to the allegations in the lawsuit?
A: According to the source material, Bumble Bee did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press requesting comment.
Q: What changes do the fishermen want to see in the fishing industry?
A: The fishermen seek systemic changes, including requirements that vessels regularly return to port rather than remain at sea indefinitely, provide medical care onboard, and offer Wi-Fi service for workers to communicate and seek help.
Citations
Watson, Julie (March 12, 2025). Fishermen sue Bumble Bee, claim canned tuna giant knew of abuse in its supply chain. ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/indonesian-fishermen-sue-bumble-bee-canned-tuna-giant-119724311
