One ship, three deaths: the shocking truth behind working conditions on a Chinese trawler | Workers’ rights

Three fishers died on a Chinese tuna vessel, the Tia Xiang 5, amid allegations of extreme neglect, medical deprivation, and brutal labour abuses in the Chinese distant water fleet during a voyage in the Indian Ocean.

The deaths followed a pattern of deteriorating health among the crew. Abdul, a former laundry worker from West Java, was the first to fall ill in February 2025. Despite suffering from swollen, bruised legs and debilitating weakness, he was told he was “overreacting” and forced to continue working.

Other crew members soon developed similar symptoms, including painful limbs and shortness of breath. Witness testimonies indicate that the crew were provided with non-fresh “bait” fish and few vegetables, and were forced to drink distilled seawater that was often “yellow” or “too salty.”

Punishment and Death Onboard

A Filipino fisher identified as Isko reportedly died after challenging the captain and declaring himself unfit for work. Crew members claim Isko was punished by being ostracized and forced to sleep on the deck under a tarpaulin for four days without access to sleeping quarters.

Following his death, the crew constructed a makeshift coffin from wooden pallets and stored the body in the vessel’s freezer. The captain reportedly refused to return to port or allow Isko to go home despite pleas from the crew.

In total, three fishers—two Filipinos and one Indonesian—died during the voyage. According to the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF), the symptoms are typical of beriberi, a vitamin deficiency common among migrant fishers on poor diets.

Systemic Neglect in the Distant Water Fleet

Steve Trent, CEO of the EJF, described the conditions on the Tia Xiang 5 as an “inexcusable case of extreme neglect” and a “violent assault on people’s rights.” Trent stated that such brutality is typical across the Chinese distant water fleet, where workers are often forced to keep working rather than being transferred to shore for medical care.

There are significant concerns that seafood caught under these conditions enters international markets. Shandong Zhonglu is licensed to export to Japan, South Korea, the UK, and the European Union.

Regulatory Gaps and Trade Risks

The EJF is calling for the adoption of a Global Charter for Transparency to prevent the import of seafood linked to labour abuses. A report suggests that seafood screening in the UK has dropped to alarmingly low levels.

Since 2012, the UK has received approximately 1,000 catch certificates from China—representing roughly 58,000 tonnes of seafood—yet has refused only four consignments. This suggests a lack of proper screening for illegal fishing and labour violations.

Ben Harkins, a technical specialist at the International Labour Organization (ILO), noted that the ILO’s work in fishing convention is not ratified across most of Southeast Asia, with Thailand being the exception. Harkins emphasized that a legal framework for labour conditions is the essential starting point for improving the lives of migrant fishers.

Shandong Zhonglu Oceanic Fisheries, the recruitment agencies involved, and the Chinese embassy in the UK were contacted for comment.