The International Transport Federation claims that MSC certification is no guarantee of safe working conditions on certified vessels – despite the MSC’s claim of these being free of forced labour.
The results of a study published this week by the ITF, conducted by Dr Katrina Nakamura, of the Sustainability Incubator, indicates that a number of MSC-certified tuna fishing vessels – some of which are also under investigation by the ITF’s inspectorate – are reported to have been implicated in a range of labour rights abuses.
‘If the MSC is to retain any credibility as a label that consumers can trust, it must take immediate and decisive action to address the glaring gaps on human and labour rights in its certification process – including naming the employers of vessels involved in labour abuse cases,’ said ITF Fisheries Expert Chris Williams.
‘As it stands, many people all around the USA, Europe and Japan are buying MSC-labelled tuna that they believe is ethically sourced and produced. Little do they know that forced labour is also on the menu.’
The analysis of the current status of 3327 listed tuna vessels participating in the MSC programme reveals that several vessels, including Win Far 636, Zhong Da 2 and Hangton 115, are implicated in severe labour abuses, ranging from forced labour to untreated workplace injuries.
Taiwanese purse seiner Win Far 636 is under investigation following the death of an observer who reported harassment and feared for his life, while the Fiji-registered Zhong Da 2 and Hangton 115 have been identified as implicated in forced labour.
In addition, the El Salvador-registered Montecelo and the Philippines-flagged Dolores 873 are cited in the study as failing to pay workers’ wages and leaving workplace injuries untreated, leading to disability.
US-registered vessels Charlotte M, Svetlana M, Natalia Victoria, Dayna S and Viki K have been reported by the ITF for instances of unpaid workers’ wages and human trafficking.
‘The ITF calls on the MSC to urgently reform its certification process and refrain from making claims about forced labour unless it can demonstrate stringent labour standards and transparent oversight mechanisms to ensure adherence,’ Chris Williams said, listing mandatory and regular audits of working conditions on certified vessels, transparent and public reporting mechanisms for labour abuses, swift action against employers and producers involved in exploitation and abuse of workers, including the suspension or revocation of certifications pending resolution of allegations as the measures that urgently need to be taken.
