Fishermen on Scots trawler win £20,000 modern slavery claim
Marine Accident Investigation BranchA group 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 company 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 group, said the settlement was a step towards justice but "no amount of money can erase the suffering".
The claimants had been given leave to enter the UK as contract 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 safe 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.
Fishermen from the Philippines, Ghana and Sri Lanka speak out for the first time about how badly they say they were treated by a Scottish fishing company.
Listen on BBC Sounds.
The group 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 respect for us as human beings.
“I’m grateful that we were finally rescued, but the scars of that time 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 risk of trafficking and exploitation and failed to take steps to protect them.
Each of them was awarded £20,000. They are now living in safe accommodation in West Yorkshire.
Human right partner, 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 important step forward in acknowledging the harm our clients endured.
“This case underscores the need 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 company was the focus of two long-running criminal investigations but no cases of human trafficking or modern slavery have come to trial, although some of the men waited years to give 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 individual cases.”
A three-year investigation uncovers allegations of modern slavery aboard UK fishing vessels.
Watch on BBC iPlayer.
