EU spends $4.175 million on fish from countries with high risk of forced labor

One of the most recent reports, commissioned from an external consultancy firm and sent to Brussels, assessed the effects of forced labor worldwide and how this potentially affected the Twenty-Seven. So the community countries They spend more than 4 billion dollars on fish come from countries that are at “high risk” of developing such apps. Physical tasks generally performed by those who perform them against their will, under demanding, if not extreme, conditions.

These add up to 4.175 million, most likely by adding the quantities associated with the main species caught under these conditions and eventually reaching the Old Continent. The document includes: Forced Labor Research in the Fisheries and Aquaculture Marketthey are ahead Russian cod (425 million imports), haddock Alaska Chinese (375 million) or Indian warm water shrimp (291 million). A list complemented by other examples such as Philippine and Papuan tuna (157 and 133 million).

On a country basis, the record holders are China (1.521 million), India (771) and Russia (655). Similarly, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea and Thailand also supported countries that received yellow cards from the European Commission at the time. lack of cooperation and regulation on the high seas; Ghana currently maintains this; and Sri Lanka, which even received a red card and temporarily restricted the purchase of fish.

Reminding the predictions of the International Labor Organization (ILO), Walk Free and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for 2022, the study emphasizes that “Forced labor is a global problem affecting many sectors, including fisheries and aquaculture.” More than 28 million people remain in this situationThe Asia-Pacific region was the most affected region. In this sense, a year ago – in September to be exact – Brussels published a new proposed regulation aimed at banning the import of goods obtained under such conditions.

This initiative would apply the veto not only to seafood but to all products obtained as a result of the involuntary performance of any duty. In particular, it will be based on the development of a risk-based implementation framework and the coordination of competent authorities at national level.

“It will make a real difference in the fight against modern slavery, which affects millions of people around the world,” EC deputy president and Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis said months ago. hand in hand, so that the system is strong. We tried to minimize the administrative burden of companies with a special approach for SMEs. “We will also intensify our cooperation with our global partners.”

Exploitation of minors

Coinciding with the announcement of the proposal, which still needs to be discussed and approved by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union, the Market Advisory Council commissioned its report to compile sources of information on species, products, countries and companies. more likely to be related to forced labor (both production and import from the EU), as well as to prepare a set of recommendations to the Twenty-Seven for possible consideration during inter-institutional negotiations.

Among the recommendations in the document, MAC calls for international cooperation and advocacy. “Ratification of ILO Convention No. 188”In addition to “strengthening” bilateral and multilateral commitments to improve the quality of employment. In parallel, ensuring the availability of up-to-date and reliable information on social and environmental issues through complete databases; A severity scale should be developed to better understand the nature of labor exploitation; and ensuring a transparent approach.

According to the research, there are currently 16 countries where fishing and aquaculture products are associated with child labour. The list compiled by the United States Department of Labor includes Bangladesh, Brazil, Cambodia, El Salvador, Ghana, Honduras, Indonesia, Kenya, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Tanzania, Uganda, Vietnam and Yemen.