The shocking story of exploitation and mistreatment of workers from around the world by a small family-owned Scottish fishing firm has come to light in a recent BBC investigation. Thirty-five men from the Philippines, Ghana, India, and Sri Lanka were recognized as victims of modern slavery by the Home Office after being referred between 2012 and 2020.
One such victim, Joel Quince, traveled all the way from the Philippines to work as a deckhand with TN Trawlers. He arrived in the UK in 2012, excited about the job opportunity and the prospect of earning a good income to support his family back home. However, his experience turned out to be a nightmare as he was subjected to grueling work conditions, long hours, and low pay.
Joel and other workers described working 18-hour days, seven days a week, on fishing vessels that lacked proper food, water, and clothing. Some even resorted to drinking washing water from rusty tanks to quench their thirst. The men were also forced to work onshore in breach of their visa entitlements and were threatened with deportation if they didn’t comply.
Despite the hardships they faced, the men were eventually recognized as victims of modern slavery by the Home Office and provided with support. However, the legal process was long and arduous, with some cases being dropped due to lack of evidence.
The story of Joel Quince and the other victims sheds light on the dark reality of human trafficking and exploitation in the fishing industry. It serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting vulnerable workers and holding accountable those who exploit them for profit.
