The plight of North Koreans forced to work on Chinese fishing vessels, enduring conditions akin to a floating prison camp, is a stark reality highlighted by recent reports. These individuals are essentially trapped at sea, often for a decade or more, without ever setting foot on land. The sheer scale of this forced labor, extending across years with no respite, is truly alarming.
This situation isn’t just a matter of harsh working conditions; it’s a systematic abuse that deprives individuals of their basic human rights. The absence of contact with family and loved ones, coupled with the lack of access to even a mobile phone, further underscores the isolating and dehumanizing nature of this forced servitude.… Continue reading
A surge in ship abandonments has left over 3,000 seafarers stranded without pay in 2024, double the number from three years prior. Shipowners, often operating smaller vessels on less profitable routes, cite rising costs and dwindling business as reasons for abandoning crews, sometimes leaving them for months without food, water, or electricity. Many abandoned ships are registered in countries with weak enforcement of maritime labor laws, hindering efforts to hold owners accountable. This crisis highlights a critical gap in protecting seafarers’ rights, exacerbated by the use of shell companies and flags of convenience.
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Authorities in Bahia, Brazil, discovered 163 Chinese nationals enduring exploitative conditions at a BYD construction site, working excessive hours and living in substandard housing. These workers were irregularly brought to Brazil by a separate Chinese firm, violating Brazilian labor laws. BYD has since severed ties with the responsible subcontractor, Jinjiang Construction Brazil Ltd., and committed to relocating the affected workers to hotels. The company affirmed its dedication to Brazilian labor regulations and worker protection.
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A new documentary has revealed that over 21,000 workers from India, Bangladesh, and Nepal have died since 2017 while working on Saudi Arabia’s multi-trillion dollar Saudi Vision 2030 programme, which includes the NEOM project and the Line. The programme has also seen allegations of wage theft, illegal working hours, human rights abuses, and the forced removal of over 20,000 indigenous people. The documentary follows a report by the Wall Street Journal alleging corruption, racism, Islamophobia, and misogyny among the project’s senior executives. Despite some architecture companies leaving NEOM due to human rights concerns, others including BIG, Zaha Hadid Architects, and OMA remain involved. Over 100,000 people have also reportedly “disappeared” during the construction of NEOM.
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Having just heard the news about Britain’s richest family being sentenced to jail for exploiting staff in their Swiss mansion, I am filled with a mix of emotions. On one hand, I am glad to see justice being served to individuals who thought they were above the law. On the other hand, I am appalled at the audacity and cruelty displayed by these individuals. It is mind-boggling to think that with a fortune of 37 billion dollars, they still resorted to treating their employees like indentured servants, or dare I say, slaves.
The fact that Prakash Hinduja and his family members were each sentenced to prison terms is a small victory in the fight against exploitation and abuse of power.… Continue reading
The news of the Hinduja family, worth an estimated £37 billion, being on trial for human trafficking is not only shocking but also deeply disturbing. The allegations of confiscating staff passports, paying them as little as $8 for 18-hour days, and restricting their freedom to leave the house echo the standard model of domestic servant trafficking and abuse. It is appalling to think that individuals of such immense wealth would resort to such despicable and exploitative practices, all in the name of maintaining their opulent lifestyles.
The defence lawyer’s argument that watching a film with the Hinduja children cannot be considered work is beyond comprehension.… Continue reading
Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker