Report: Suit accuses Costco of covering up slavery in seafood supply chain

Issaquah, Wash. —A consumer lawsuit reportedly accuses Costco of knowingly purchasing shrimp from Thai providers that use slave labor and then misleading the public about the practice. According to the Puget Sound Business Journal, a California woman filed the suit in San Francisco federal court.

Numerous media reports have surfaced in the past year about the use of slavery in the Thai seafood supply chain, including fishing boats that dupe rural residents into accepting “jobs” that turn out to be inhumane forced labor circumstances that can last decades. Enslaved workers are reportedly tortured and even murdered to prevent uprisings or escapes.

Costco said it is working with the Thai government and fishing industry, as well as other retailers, to address issues of forced seafood labor, and will offer full refunds to customers who want to return seafood items.