globalization – Page 4 – Maritime Union of New Zealand

European dockers victory shows global tide turning against “pirate capitalism”

January 19, 2006

The Maritime Union says a major Union victory in Europe for job security for port workers signals a turning of the tide in the global maritime industry.

The European Parliament voted overwhelmingly on 18 January 2006 to throw out a plan to extend corporate control over European ports.

On 16 January, 6000 dockers from 16 European countries mounted a strong protest against the plan in Strasbourg, France, in defence of jobs, working conditions, health and safety, and the quality of port services.

Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson says it is a major victory that was gained by an active campaign by workers – and which has implications for the New Zealand industry.

Maritime Union says it’s time to connect the dots on Flag of Convenience fishing

March 6, 2006

The Maritime Union has welcomed New Zealand signing up to an international crackdown on illegal fishing – which also provides a clear opportunity to solve the abuse and exploitation of maritime workers.

Fisheries ministers from Australia, Britain, Canada, Chile, Namibia and New Zealand have agreed to a plan which will mean global tracking of fishing vessels, as well as an online database of their names, location and history, to help uncover illegal fishing.

Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson says the plan means that “half of the problem” is being seriously addressed.

Maritime Union wants answers on Indonesian shipjumpers

March 14, 2009

The Maritime Union of New Zealand and International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) are investigating a shipjumping incident in Dunedin where nine Indonesian seafarers left the fishing trawler Marinui on Friday 10 March.

ITF New Zealand co-ordinator Kathy Whelan says the Union has been in touch with the Ministry of Immigration about the case, and ITF representatives will try to speak to the fishermen at Auckland Airport before they are sent home tomorrow.

She says she is extremely concerned about the increasing numbers of foreign seafarers leaving their vessels in New Zealand ports, in this case claiming they were subjected to 24 hour shifts with no breaks, two hour sleep breaks, and physical abuse.

Unions get result for Indonesian crew

March 16, 2006

The Maritime Union of New Zealand and International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) have obtained backpay for a group of Indonesian fishermen who jumped ship last week.

The nine Indonesian crew members left the fishing trawler Marinui in Dunedin on Friday 10 March.

The crew members were sent to Christchurch where they were interviewed by Maritime Union officials, and then travelled to Auckland International Airport today where they were met by union officials representing the ITF.

Ukrainian crew’s onboard protest in Lyttelton backed by Maritime Union

May 11, 2006

The Maritime Union says that a group of Ukrainian fishermen in Lyttelton are victims of the lack of regulation of

Treatment of Ukrainian Crew a national disgrace

May 17, 2006

The Maritime Union says that the treatment of a Ukrainian fishing crew in Lyttelton is a national disgrace and a prime example of the problems plaguing the fishing industry.

The crew have been on strike for unpaid wages aboard the fishing vessel Malakhov Kurgan which is laid up in the Port of Lyttelton.

Eight crew members remain on strike aboard after refusing a deal that 19 of their fellow crew members accepted.

Maritime Union supports hunger strike by Ukrainian crew

May 30, 2006

The Maritime Union says a hunger strike by striking Ukrainian crew members in Lyttelton is a “symptom of the disease of exploitation in the fishing industry.”

Four crew members of the eight crew remaining aboard the fishing vessel “Malakhov Kurgan” are locking themselves in a cabin and are going on an indefinite hunger strike.

They are protesting about not being paid the wages that are owed to them under New Zealand law.

International report on crew abuse highlights abuse in New Zealand waters

June 12, 2006

As the Maritime Union fights for the rights of seafarers in New Zealand waters, a new report from the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) to the United Nations paints a disturbing picture of abuses of human rights at sea.
The report names the case of the ‘Sky 75’ in New Zealand waters as one of “ruthless exploitation of fishing crews.”
The New Zealand ITF and Maritime Union took action when 10 Indonesian crew left the Korean registered fishing vessel ‘Sky 75’ in the Port of Nelson in September 2005.