In March 2020, NGO Migrant Rights alleged a case of labour abuse and fraud against around 800 workers employed or recruited by Sea Bird Supermarket in Dubai, UAE. 800 workers, including 60 women are reportedly stranded in Dubai. Some of the workers lack access to food and many are in debt having paid large recruitment fees. One worker alleged the case is likely to be a fraud case since the supermarket is unlikely to need such a large number of workers.

The supermarket's owners state that as they only recently acquired the business responsibility for the workers falls to the previous owner.

Business & Human Rights Resource Centre reached out to invite Sea Bird Supermarket to comment on the allegations; it did not reply.

In May 2020, Migrant Rights reported that the supermarket has since rebranded as Bluebird but the UAE Government has yet to resolve the issue.