Three Deaths on Chinese Trawler Expose Shocking Labor Abuses in Global Fishing
In a damning revelation, crew members of the Tia Xiang 5, a Chinese tuna-fishing vessel operating in the Indian Ocean, have lifted the lid on appalling working conditions that allegedly led to three deaths during a single voyage. The shocking testimonies, gathered by the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) and reviewed by the Guardian, highlight systemic neglect and abuse in fleets supplying fish to the UK and European Union markets.
Grueling Conditions and Untreated Illnesses
Abdul, a 36-year-old Indonesian fisher from West Java, described how the ordeal began in February 2025, just four months into his first stint on the longline vessel. He fell ill with swollen, bruised legs and debilitating weakness, but was dismissed as "weak" and "overreacting" by other crew. Forced to work 16-hour days for a meager monthly wage of 4.6 million Indonesian rupiah (approximately £198), he received no proper medical care or rest.
Other crew members soon exhibited similar symptoms, including painful limb swelling and severe shortness of breath. The fishers were fed stale "bait" fish with few vegetables, and drank suspicious water that was often salty or discolored due to malfunctioning distillation equipment. As conditions worsened, some began to deteriorate rapidly.
Tragic Deaths and Makeshift Coffins
The first to die was Isko, a Filipino fisher who had bravely challenged the captain about his unfit state. As punishment, he was ostracized and forced to sleep on deck with only a tarpaulin for protection against harsh weather. Joko, a 34-year-old friend of Abdul's, claims Isko was denied bedding and access to sleeping quarters for four days before his death.
Despite pleas from sick crew, the captain refused to return to port. Isko's body was later found in a corridor, as shown in a harrowing video verified by EJF. In a poignant act, fellow crew built a makeshift coffin from wooden pallets, wrapped him in a blanket, and placed it in the vessel's freezer. Two more fishers, another Filipino and an Indonesian, died from undiagnosed illnesses on the same voyage, with symptoms consistent with beriberi—a vitamin deficiency common among migrant fishers due to poor nutrition.
Fear and Recovery Amid Systemic Neglect
Abdul expressed deep sadness over the losses, noting that despite coming from different countries, the crew had bonded during their eight months together. He feared for his own life, especially after disembarking in Singapore with a leg swollen "like an elephant's foot," requiring a wheelchair at the airport. Upon reaching Jakarta, he was hospitalized and treated for lymphatic disease, taking months to recover fully. His net salary after deductions, including 6.5 million rupiah for medical treatment, totaled just 11.9 million rupiah for the entire voyage.
Calls for Transparency and Legal Reform
Steve Trent, CEO and founder of EJF, condemned the situation as an "inexcusable case of extreme neglect" and a "violent assault on people's rights." He emphasized that such abuses are typical across the Chinese distant water fleet, with fish potentially entering EU, UK, Japanese, and South Korean markets. EJF is urging the UK and other nations to endorse a Global Charter for Transparency, citing a report that found critically low checks on seafood imports post-Brexit.
Ben Harkins, a technical specialist at the International Labour Organization (ILO), highlighted the global challenge, noting that except for Thailand, the ILO's work in fishing convention is not ratified in Southeast Asia. He stressed the need for legal frameworks to protect migrant fishers, who face excessive working hours—particularly on longline tuna vessels due to the time-intensive nature of setting and retrieving lines.
The companies involved, including Shandong Zhonglu Oceanic Fisheries, and the Chinese embassy in the UK were contacted for comment but have not responded. Abdul, who agreed to use his first name, hopes his testimony will spur improvements in working conditions for migrant workers worldwide.
