US Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas has stated that the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a Withhold Release Order against Dalian Ocean Fishing Co., Ltd. based on information that reasonably indicates the use of forced labour in the entity’s fishing activities.
‘Companies that exploit their workers have no place doing business in the United States,’ said Secretary Mayorkas.
‘Products made from forced labour not only exploit workers, but hurt American businesses and expose consumers to unethical purchases. This Withhold Release Order will ensure we continue to protect the human rights of those working in the distant water fishing industry, while also upholding safeguarding our national and economic security.’
CBP identified all eleven of the International Labour Organization’s indicators of forced labor during its investigation including physical violence, withholding of wages, and abusive working and living conditions.
Effective immediately, the new Withhold Release Order instructs CBP personnel at all US ports of entry to begin detaining tuna, swordfish, and other seafood harvested by vessels owned or operated by the Dalian Ocean Fishing Co., Ltd.
This is the first Withhold Release Order CBP has issued against an entire fleet of fishing vessels.
‘This Withhold Release Order will help protect vulnerable workers while levelling the playing field for US fisherman and seafood producers,’ said CBP Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Commissioner Troy Miller.
‘CBP is a global leader in the forced labour enforcement and we will continue to protect American consumers and businesses from goods made by modern slavery.’
Federal statute 19 U.S.C. 1307 prohibits the import of merchandise produced, wholly or in part, by convict labour, forced labour, and/or indentured labour, including forced or indentured child labour. CBP detains shipments of goods suspected of being imported in violation of this statute. Importers of detained shipments have the opportunity to export their shipments or demonstrate that the merchandise was not produced with forced labor.
The International Labour Organization estimates that 25 million workers suffer under conditions of forced labour worldwide.
The announcement of the Withhold Release Order reiterates CBP’s commitment to combat forced labour.
CBP issued earlier Withhold Release Orders on individual distant water fishing vessels. All Withhold Release Orders are publicly available and listed by country on CBP.gov.
