MSC condemns slave labor

The Marine Stewardship Council on Friday released a statement condemning the use of forced labor.

MSC said that despite the fact its standard does not include a requirement for the assessment of the social and employment conditions of fisheries and their supply chains, it will continue to engage with other standard setters wishing to develop social standards for fisheries and seafood supply chains.

“Companies successfully prosecuted for forced labor violations shall be ineligible for MSC certification,” the MSC board said. “To ensure that a certification entity remains eligible for MSC certification with respect to forced labor violations, companies, fishery client group members and their subcontracted parties should ensure compliance with national and international laws on forced labor and follow relevant guidance where available.”

MSC defines forced labors as all work or service which is exacted from any person under the menace of any penalty and for which the said person has not offered himself voluntarily. This is in accordance with International Labor Organization Forced Labor Convention, 1930: Article 2 paragraph 1. This includes all unethical labor practices recognized under law as forced labor, including debt bondage, trafficking and other forms of modern slavery.

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