2-6-2004 At Least 19 Asian Cockle (Clams) Pickers Die on UK Beach
LONDON - 19 Asian shellfish gatherers died on Thursday night after being caught by a fast-rising tide on an English beach, prompting charges of exploited migrant labour.
The local member of parliament said the deaths in Morecambe Bay in Lancashire, northwest England, were a tragedy waiting to happen.
"Those people that lost their lives last night were not just victims to Morecambe Bay, they were victims of exploitation," Geraldine Smith said.
"They were working probably for very very little money, working in very dangerous and difficult conditions."
"It demonstrates yet again what can happen to people when the highly organized elements that are behind the trafficking -- and here with mostly Chinese people we are talking about the ruthless gangs, the 'snakeheads' -- operate globally and transport people for labor exploitation," she told BBC Radio.
The flat bay at Morecambe is notoriously dangerous, with fast-rising tides and quicksand.
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They didn't even supply them with rafts or boats for when the water comes up?
:|
LONDON - 19 Asian shellfish gatherers died on Thursday night after being caught by a fast-rising tide on an English beach, prompting charges of exploited migrant labour.
The local member of parliament said the deaths in Morecambe Bay in Lancashire, northwest England, were a tragedy waiting to happen.
"Those people that lost their lives last night were not just victims to Morecambe Bay, they were victims of exploitation," Geraldine Smith said.
"They were working probably for very very little money, working in very dangerous and difficult conditions."
"It demonstrates yet again what can happen to people when the highly organized elements that are behind the trafficking -- and here with mostly Chinese people we are talking about the ruthless gangs, the 'snakeheads' -- operate globally and transport people for labor exploitation," she told BBC Radio.
The flat bay at Morecambe is notoriously dangerous, with fast-rising tides and quicksand.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
They didn't even supply them with rafts or boats for when the water comes up?
:|
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