Hangton Pacific's General Manager Jitendra Mohan has categorically denied allegations by the US customs officials that their Hangton No. 112, fishing vessel was involved in the use forced labour in fishing operations through withholding of wages, debt bondage and retention of identity documents.
Mohan says the action by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection or CBP personnel at all U.S. ports of entry to detain tuna and other seafood harvested by Hangton No. 112 is sudden death for the company.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued a Withhold Release Order against the longliner fishing vessel based on information that reasonably indicates the use of forced labour.
Mohan says the action was taken without them having any knowledge.
He confirms the company has not received complaints from any crew and neither they have received any details of allegations from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Mohan adds they are hoping for some dialogue with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
The fishing vessel has Fijian, Korean, Chinese and Indonesian crew onboard.
Minister for Fisheries, Semi Koroilavesau had stated yesterday that there has not been any record of complaints of such from crew that were on board the vessel including observers that covered the vessel on the trip.
He says there may be such complaint lodged with the Ministry of Employment and Department of Immigration which their team is pursuing.
However, Koroilavesau says they are concerned with the current situation as it can have further repercussions.
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