The Decibel

How seafood from North Korean forced labour ends up in Canada

Apr 9, 2024

Ian Urbina, executive editor of The Outlaw Ocean Project, discusses the investigation revealing North Korean forced labor in Chinese seafood plants supplying Canadian companies. The podcast explores the challenges faced by the workers, the complexities of the seafood supply chain, and the need for improved monitoring in the industry to combat forced labor.

26:58

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Ian Urbina

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Quick takeaways

North Korean workers face abuse and exploitation in Chinese seafood plants supplying Canada.

Seafood supply chains lack transparency, allowing products linked to forced labor to reach Canadian stores.

Deep dives

North Korean Workers in Chinese Seafood Plants

Chinese seafood plants have been found to employ over 1,000 North Korean workers in violation of UN sanctions dating back to 2017. The workers, mainly women, endure brutal conditions, including long hours, surveillance, and widespread sexual abuse.

Introduction

2min

Uncovering North Korean Forced Labor in Chinese Seafood Plants

15min

Underground Labor Market: Exploitation of North Korean Workers

3min

Investigation into Seafood Supply Chain and Forced Labor Connections to Canadian Stores

3min

Complexities of Seafood Plant Audits and Social Responsibility Concerns

3min

Import Regulations and Data Collection Discrepancies Between Canada and the USA

4min

Where does your seafood come from? And who, along the supply chain, handled it? An investigation from the non-profit investigative journalism organization, Outlaw Ocean Project, reveals a network of North Korean labourers at Chinese seafood plants – a violation of United Nations sanctions – supplying certain Canadian seafood companies. The workers detail a pattern of hyper-surveillance, poor pay and sexual assault by their employers.

Ian Urbina, executive editor of The Outlaw Ocean Project, joins The Decibel to discuss the findings of the investigation, the working conditions inside the processing plants and how products made from forced labour are ending up on Canadian store shelves.

VIDEO: Investigation reveals North Korean forced labour in Chinese seafood plants

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The Decibel

How seafood from North Korean forced labour ends up in Canada

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

North Korean Workers in Chinese Seafood Plants

Investigation and Interview Process

Global Supply Chain and Consumer Awareness

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts