Vishal Sharma, an Indian merchant seaman, tragically found himself working on a scallop trawler instead of the tanker he was promised. After being threatened with deportation for refusing to comply, he faced dire working conditions with long hours and inadequate sustenance. His situation escalated, leading to his eventual rescue when he was transferred to another boat where other exploited migrant fishers had made complaints. Once at port, Sharma was recognized as a victim of modern slavery and agreed to assist authorities in their ongoing investigations, seeking justice for his ordeal.
When I boarded the Noordzee, I felt something was wrong. I was supposed to work on a Belgian tanker, not a fishing trawler.
They threatened me with deportation if I didn’t work. I was scared and alone at sea with no access to help or communication.
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