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Fishermen on Scots trawler triumph £20,000 modern slavery claim


Fishermen on Scots trawler triumph £20,000 modern slavery claim

Marine Accident Investigation Branch Scallop-trawler Olivia Jean in a harbour, with blue hull and yellow rigging, with industrial buildings in the backgroundMarine Accident Investigation Branch
The fishermen were rescued from the scallop-trawler Olivia Jean

A throng of migrant fishermen recognised as victims of modern slavery have been awarded £20,000 each compensation by the UK Government.

The Ghanaian crew were rescued in 2020 from the scallop-trawler Olivia Jean, owned by a Scottish fishing firm TN Trawlers.

The boat is part of the fleet owned by Thomas Iain Nicholson of TN Enterprises, a firm based in Annan in Dumfries and Galloway.

The business was named in the recent BBC documentary Slavery at Sea. It has denied all allegations of modern slavery and human trafficking.

One of the fishermen, speaking on behalf of the throng, said the settlement was a step towards fairness but “no amount of money can erase the suffering”.

The claimants had been given leave to enter the UK as deal seamen. However, once on the vessel they were subject to modern slavery and forced labour.

Their living conditions were grossly unsanitary and cramped, and they were not able to access secure drinking water, adequate food or medical treatment.

They did not have leave to enter and remain on UK shores and could not leave their vessel and enter the UK lawfully even when it was at port.

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File on 4: Invisible Souls

Fishermen from the Philippines, Ghana and Sri Lanka talk out for the first period about how badly they declare they were treated by a Scottish fishing business.

Listen on BBC Sounds.

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The throng spokesman said: “Being trapped on that boat felt like a nightmare. We worked day and night.

“The conditions were unbearable – there was no dignity, no regard for us as human beings.

“I’m grateful that we were finally rescued, but the scars of that period are still with me.”

The fishermen argued that the government breached their human rights not to be held in slavery or servitude or to perform forced or compulsory labour.

They also argued that the Home Office failed to identify them as being at hazard of trafficking and exploitation and failed to receive steps to protect them.

Each of them was awarded £20,000. They are now living in secure accommodation in West Yorkshire.

Human correct associate, Stephanie Hill who represented the men said exploitation remains “rife” in the fishing industry.

She said: “Our clients have shown a lot of courage in bringing this claim and this settlement is an significant step forward in acknowledging the damage our clients endured.

“This case underscores the require for stronger legal safeguards to prevent abuses like these from happening again.”

TN Trawlers denied any allegation of modern slavery or human trafficking and said its workers were well-treated and well-paid.

The business was the focus of two long-running criminal investigations but no cases of human trafficking or modern slavery have arrive to trial, although some of the men waited years to provide evidence.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “Modern slavery has devastating impacts and we are committed to tackling this heinous crime in all its forms.

“It is long-standing government policy that we do not comment on person cases.”

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Disclosure: Slavery at Sea

A three-year investigation uncovers allegations of modern slavery aboard UK fishing vessels.

Watch on BBC iPlayer.

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