Latest news with #Fryszman
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Yahoo
This Popular Canned Tuna Brand Is Getting Sued For A Truly Sickening Reason
Bumble Bee Foods, known for being one of the leading brands for canned tuna, is being sued for allegedly benefitting from forced labor and other forms of abuse onboard fishing vessels from which the company sources its tuna. The lawsuit was filed on March 12 by four Indonesian men, who worked on three vessels supplying tuna for Bumble Bee Foods. The lawsuit claims that, while out at sea, the men were physically abused and kept onboard against their will. The abuse alleged included being denied medical care after serious injuries and being denied food and water. The men also assert that the working conditions were overall dangerous. Agnieszka Fryszman, one of the attorneys for the plaintiffs, spoke to CNN about the alleged abuse suffered by the fishermen. Fryszman said, "Fishing vessels never really have to go port, so the men are really, really stuck. It makes it very easy to engage in forced labor and trafficking." Bumble Bee Foods provided a statement to CNN, in which it stated that it will not be commenting on the lawsuit. Read more: 14 Cheap Fish You Should Always Avoid Buying Since the lawsuit asserts that Bumble Bee Foods imported seafood that was caught using forced labor, it implies that the company violated U.S. human trafficking laws. The men are claiming that they were kept at sea for months at a time with no way to leave. Two of the complainants also allege being forced to continue working after suffering serious injuries. Furthermore, they claim that Bumble Bee Foods engaged in debt bondage, which would mean that large portions of their salaries were withheld. This would have left the workers with very little pay and, beyond that, they were supposedly threatened with hefty fees if they decided to quit. Additionally, the men allege that they were physically abused by ship captains, including stabbing with needles, beating, and lashing. The complaint outlines that the fisherman are not only looking for monetary damages but also want to see new workplace safety policies established. As if the pending lawsuit weren't reason enough to reconsider eating Bumble Bee Foods tuna, its solid white albacore tuna in olive oil is on our list of some of the unhealthiest store-bought canned tunas that you can buy. Bumble Bee is far from the only company to face allegations of mistreating workers -- for example, Cracker Barrel has faced several scandals, including alleged sexual harassment faced by workers. Plus, one of the things that Olive Garden doesn't want you to know is that it faced payment discrimination claims. Hungry for more? Sign up for the free Daily Meal newsletter for delicious recipes, cooking tips, kitchen hacks, and more, delivered straight to your inbox. Read the original article on The Daily Meal.
Los Angeles Times
13-03-2025
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
Indonesian fishermen sue Bumble Bee and say the canned tuna giant knew of abuse in its supply chain
SAN DIEGO — Lawyers representing four Indonesian fishermen who say they were beaten and trapped on vessels that were part of the global supply chain that provided tuna to Bumble Bee Seafoods filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the canned seafood giant. It is believed to be the first such case of forced labor at sea brought against a U.S. seafood company, the men's lawyer, Agnieszka Fryszman, said. U.S. companies that benefit from forced labor and undercut other businesses need to be held accountable, Fryszman said. 'What you see is really devastating,' she said. The lawsuit accuses the company headquartered in San Diego of violating the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. The law allows foreigners who suffered from human trafficking to sue U.S. businesses that knew or should have known that they were profiting from forced labor. Bumble Bee said in an email to The Associated Press that it does not comment on pending litigation. The fisherman are all from villages in Indonesia and worked for longline vessels owned by Chinese companies from which Bumble Bee sourced its albacore tuna, according to the lawsuit. They say they were beaten regularly by their captains. One fisherman named Akhmad, who like many Indonesians uses only one name, said he was hit by a metal hook and forced to work even after being injured on the job by a load of fish that gashed open his leg to the bone. Another fisherman, Syafi'i, said he received no medical care for severe burns and was ordered to return to work to pay to eat. All the men said they asked to go home and even tried to go on strike on board, according to the lawsuit. The boats stayed out at sea while supply ships provided provisions and collected the catch. The men were strapped with debt from food bills and other fees and the threat of fines if they quit, Fryszman said. Bumble Bee had been warned of inhumane conditions in its supply chain over the years, Fryszman said. In 2020, accounts of abusive conditions and forced labor prompted the U.S. 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. None of these fishermen worked on that vessel. The lawsuit seeks compensation for their unpaid wages and abuse, Fryszman said. The men are also seeking systemic changes, she said. For example, they want companies like Bumble Bee to require in their contracts that the vessels in their supply chain bring in their catch rather than remain out at sea, and have medical care on board and Wi-Fi service for workers to get help. The global fishing industry has been plagued by labor abuses for years. Congress approved legislation providing the U.S. government with additional authority to crack down on forced labor in 2016 after an Associated Press investigation found that seafood caught by slaves in Southeast Asia was ending up in restaurants and markets around the United States. In 2018, Fryszman represented two Indonesian fishermen who said they were enslaved on an American fishing boat. They settled their lawsuit for an undisclosed amount against the vessel's California-based owner seven years after escaping and receiving special U.S. visas as victims of human trafficking. Watson writes for the Associated Press.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Yahoo
Indonesian fishermen sue Bumble Bee and say the canned tuna giant knew of abuse in its supply chain
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Lawyers representing four Indonesian fishermen who say they were beaten and trapped on vessels that were part of the global supply chain that provided tuna to Bumble Bee Seafoods filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the canned seafood giant. It is believed to be the first such case of forced labor at sea brought against a U.S. seafood company, the men's lawyer, Agnieszka Fryszman, said. U.S. companies that benefit from forced labor and undercut other businesses need to be held accountable, Fryszman said. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. 'What you see is really devastating,' she said. The lawsuit accuses the company headquartered in San Diego of violating the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. The law allows foreigners who suffered from human trafficking to sue U.S. businesses that knew or should have known that they were profiting from forced labor. Bumble Bee did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press requesting comment. The fisherman are all from villages in Indonesia and worked for longline vessels owned by Chinese companies from which Bumble Bee sourced its albacore tuna, according to the lawsuit. They say they were beaten regularly by their captains. One fisherman named Akhmad, who like many Indonesians uses only one name, said he was hit by a metal hook and forced to work even after being injured on the job by a load of fish that gashed open his leg to the bone. Another fisherman, Syafi'i, said he received no medical care for severe burns and was ordered to return to work to pay to eat. All the men said they asked to go home and even tried to go on strike on board, according to the lawsuit. The boats stayed out at sea while supply ships provided provisions and collected the catch. The men were strapped with debt from food bills and other fees and the threat of fines if they quit, Fryszman said. Bumble Bee had been warned of inhumane conditions in its supply chain over the years. In 2020, accounts of abusive conditions and forced labor prompted the U.S. 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. None of these fishermen worked on that vessel. The lawsuit seeks compensation for their unpaid wages and abuse, Fryszman said. The men are also seeking systemic changes, she said. For example, they want companies like Bumble Bee to require in their contracts that the vessels in their supply chain bring in their catch rather than remain out at sea, and have medical care on board and Wi-Fi service for workers to get help. The global fishing industry has been plagued by labor abuses for years, with workers subjected to brutal treatment often with little or no pay. Congress approved legislation providing the agency with additional authority to crack down on forced labor in 2016 after an Associated Press investigation found that seafood caught by slaves in Southeast Asia was ending up in restaurants and markets around the United States. In 2018, Fryszman represented two Indonesian fishermen who said they were enslaved on an American fishing boat. They settled their lawsuit for an undisclosed amount against the vessel's California-based owner seven years after escaping and receiving special U.S. visas as victims of human trafficking.
The Independent
12-03-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Indonesian fishermen sue Bumble Bee and say the canned tuna giant knew of abuse in its supply chain
Lawyers representing four Indonesian fishermen who say they were beaten and trapped on vessels that were part of the global supply chain that provided tuna to Bumble Bee Seafoods filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the canned seafood giant. It is believed to be the first such case of forced labor at sea brought against a U.S. seafood company, the men's lawyer, Agnieszka Fryszman, said. U.S. companies that benefit from forced labor and undercut other businesses need to be held accountable, Fryszman said. 'What you see is really devastating,' she said. The lawsuit accuses the company headquartered in San Diego of violating the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. The law allows foreigners who suffered from human trafficking to sue U.S. businesses that knew or should have known that they were profiting from forced labor. Bumble Bee did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press requesting comment. The fisherman are all from villages in Indonesia and worked for longline vessels owned by Chinese companies from which Bumble Bee sourced its albacore tuna, according to the lawsuit. They say they were beaten regularly by their captains. One fisherman named Akhmad, who like many Indonesians uses only one name, said he was hit by a metal hook and forced to work even after being injured on the job by a load of fish that gashed open his leg to the bone. Another fisherman, Syafi'i, said he received no medical care for severe burns and was ordered to return to work to pay to eat. All the men said they asked to go home and even tried to go on strike on board, according to the lawsuit. The boats stayed out at sea while supply ships provided provisions and collected the catch. The men were strapped with debt from food bills and other fees and the threat of fines if they quit, Fryszman said. Bumble Bee had been warned of inhumane conditions in its supply chain over the years. In 2020, accounts of abusive conditions and forced labor prompted the U.S. 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. None of these fishermen worked on that vessel. The lawsuit seeks compensation for their unpaid wages and abuse, Fryszman said. The men are also seeking systemic changes, she said. For example, they want companies like Bumble Bee to require in their contracts that the vessels in their supply chain bring in their catch rather than remain out at sea, and have medical care on board and Wi-Fi service for workers to get help. The global fishing industry has been plagued by labor abuses for years, with workers subjected to brutal treatment often with little or no pay. Congress approved legislation providing the agency with additional authority to crack down on forced labor in 2016 after an Associated Press investigation found that seafood caught by slaves in Southeast Asia was ending up in restaurants and markets around the United States. In 2018, Fryszman represented two Indonesian fishermen who said they were enslaved on an American fishing boat. They settled their lawsuit for an undisclosed amount against the vessel's California-based owner seven years after escaping and receiving special U.S. visas as victims of human trafficking.
Associated Press
12-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Indonesian fishermen sue Bumble Bee and say the canned tuna giant knew of abuse in its supply chain
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Lawyers representing four Indonesian fishermen who say they were beaten and trapped on vessels that were part of the global supply chain that provided tuna to Bumble Bee Seafoods filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the canned seafood giant. It is believed to be the first such case of forced labor at sea brought against a U.S. seafood company, the men's lawyer, Agnieszka Fryszman, said. U.S. companies that benefit from forced labor and undercut other businesses need to be held accountable, Fryszman said. 'What you see is really devastating,' she said. The lawsuit accuses the company headquartered in San Diego of violating the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. The law allows foreigners who suffered from human trafficking to sue U.S. businesses that knew or should have known that they were profiting from forced labor. Bumble Bee did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press requesting comment. The fisherman are all from villages in Indonesia and worked for longline vessels owned by Chinese companies from which Bumble Bee sourced its albacore tuna, according to the lawsuit. They say they were beaten regularly by their captains. One fisherman named Akhmad, who like many Indonesians uses only one name, said he was hit by a metal hook and forced to work even after being injured on the job by a load of fish that gashed open his leg to the bone. Another fisherman, Syafi'i, said he received no medical care for severe burns and was ordered to return to work to pay to eat. All the men said they asked to go home and even tried to go on strike on board, according to the lawsuit. The boats stayed out at sea while supply ships provided provisions and collected the catch. The men were strapped with debt from food bills and other fees and the threat of fines if they quit, Fryszman said. Bumble Bee had been warned of inhumane conditions in its supply chain over the years. In 2020, accounts of abusive conditions and forced labor prompted the U.S. 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. None of these fishermen worked on that vessel. The lawsuit seeks compensation for their unpaid wages and abuse, Fryszman said. The men are also seeking systemic changes, she said. For example, they want companies like Bumble Bee to require in their contracts that the vessels in their supply chain bring in their catch rather than remain out at sea, and have medical care on board and Wi-Fi service for workers to get help. The global fishing industry has been plagued by labor abuses for years, with workers subjected to brutal treatment often with little or no pay. Congress approved legislation providing the agency with additional authority to crack down on forced labor in 2016 after an Associated Press investigation found that seafood caught by slaves in Southeast Asia was ending up in restaurants and markets around the United States. In 2018, Fryszman represented two Indonesian fishermen who said they were enslaved on an American fishing boat. They settled their lawsuit for an undisclosed amount against the vessel's California-based owner seven years after escaping and receiving special U.S. visas as victims of human trafficking.
