E tū: migrants displace New Zealanders in fishing industry

19th December, 2016

Embargoed until 5pm December 23rd, 2016

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E tū says migrants displace New Zealanders in fishing industry

E tū says migrants have displaced local workers in the fishing industry, which should be compelled to hire and train more New Zealanders.

The union wants industry regulations requiring 75 percent of fishing industry staff at local fishing companies to be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents.

The union’s concerns about employment in the fishing industry are detailed in its submission on the Ministry of Primary Industries review document, the Future of our Fisheries.

E tū’s National Industry Strategy Director (Food), Neville Donaldson says more than 5000 jobs have been lost in the New Zealand fishing industry over the past decade, with the vast majority relocated to processing plants in Third World countries.

He says local processing and fishing is now done by migrants, because fishing companies can offer them minimum employment conditions “and they won’t complain.”

“This runs down employment standards for everyone,” says Neville.

Neville says fishing companies are always complaining they need migrants because local workers don’t want jobs in the industry.

But, he says “families can’t live on the pay offered for working on boats or in local plants. Instead, migrants are being hired for minimum pay on temporary permits.”

He says all New Zealanders have a stake in the fishing industry - not just quota holders or fishing companies – and the industry has a responsibility to provide decent jobs and secure incomes for local fishery workers.

ENDS

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