Correspondence
Email sent to the contact address for Figorifics Ferrer S.A.
The email said: "I’m contacting you in light of our latest investigation which concerns the use of forced labor in China’s seafood processing industry, and a link we’ve discovered between companies engaged in such practices and your supply chain. Frigorifics Ferrer S.A.’s supplier Shandong Haidu has received persons from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China under the state-imposed labor transfer program. The United Nations, human rights organizations and academic experts agree that since 2018, the Chinese government has systematically subjected Xinjiang’s predominantly Muslim ethnic minorities to forced labor across the country via state-sanctioned employment programs which use coercive methods in worker enrollment, and obstruct freedom to leave employment. The U.S. has prohibited the importation of goods produced from state-imposed forced labor. Does Frigorifics Ferrer have any comment to make in response to the above information? Please reply to this email by close of business on July 6, 2023."
Email sent to the contact address for Frigorifics Ferrer, saying: "We contacted you on July 4, 2023, regarding our ongoing investigation into China’s squid fishing and seafood processing industry. We’re emailing you now to bring additional findings to your attention, as they relate to your supply chain.
According to trade records seen by The Outlaw Ocean Project, Frigorifics Ferrer was the consignee for multiple shipments of seafood from Donggang Jinhui since December 2019. We have uncovered evidence that Donggang Jinhui has used North Korean labor after the December 2019 deadline for the repatriation of overseas North Korean workers required under United Nations Security Council sanctions. This evidence shows North Korean labor at Donggang Jinhui’s plant in Liaoning, China, as recently as 2023.
While we understand that you may not be aware of the above issues, we want to ask if Frigorifics Ferrer has any comment to make in response to this - or our previous - email?"