“Time to lance the boil” in fishing industry shame
The announcement of a ministerial inquiry into foreign fishing charter vessels in New Zealand waters is long overdue.
Read MoreRepresenting New Zealand maritime workers since 2002
The announcement of a ministerial inquiry into foreign fishing charter vessels in New Zealand waters is long overdue.
Read MoreThe Maritime Union says that its fears about short-term casual labour being introduced into New Zealand have been confirmed.
Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson says the introduction of more cheap foreign labour into the New Zealand fishing industry is the death knell for New Zealand fishing employment.
Read MoreThe Maritime Union says a plan by the Department of Labour to track down ship jumping crews by employing a private investigator is questionable at the least.
Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson says that private investigators may be in favour of the plan as it will ensure an endless income stream for them in the future, but it would not solve ship jumping.
Read MoreThe Maritime Union says the Department of Labour’s stance on two Vietnamese fishermen who have jumped ship in Nelson is unacceptable.
Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson says the Department of Labour has stated in the media it will not act until formally notified by the fishing vessel charterers that crew members are missing.
“In this case, the two missing crew members have obviously jumped ship from the Sky 75, like the ten Indonesian crew members before them, and these two fishermen are probably living rough.”
Read MoreThe Maritime Union says that free trade deals and recent GATS negotiations have the potential to introduce cutprice overseas labour into New Zealand ports.
Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson says the use of ship’s crews and imported labour on the waterfront is becoming a major problem around the world.
“International maritime companies are already moving low-wage, short term and casual labour across borders to work in ports around the world.”
Read MoreThe Maritime Union says the shipjumping of eight Indonesians in Wellington from the fishing vessel ‘San Liberatore’ was entirely predictable as the ship had a history of problems.
Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson says the Union had to intervene on two occasions this year when overseas crew members on the ‘San Liberatore’ were being made to do waterfront work normally done by New Zealand workers.
“There have been Government reports saying there is abuse going on aboard these fishing vessels in New Zealand waters – why don’t we put the spotlight on the companies operating these vessels, rather than the workers?”
Read MoreThe Maritime Union has welcomed the announcement by Minister of Immigration David Cunliffe that the current system regulating overseas crews in the fishing industry will be overhauled.
Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson says official recognition that crews are being underpaid and exploited is an important first step.
Mr Hanson says he agrees with the Government the seafood industry is important for New Zealand, but this does not translate into allowing employers to do whatever they want.
Read MoreThe 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.
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