Action Needed on Fishing Charter Vessels

The CTU says action is needed to address the huge problems from the use of foreign charter vessels for deepwater fishing of New Zealand quota.

The CTU will make its submission today to the Ministerial Inquiry into Foreign Charter Vessels.

Peter Conway, CTU Secretary, said that "there are highly disturbing reports about the conditions of work for crew on these vessels, and instead of the value of the quota resulting in decent jobs for New Zealanders, we have a system that relies on cheap foreign labour and off-shore processing."

Peter Conway said "the Rena oil spill does not involve a fishing vessel but many of the issues are the same - flag of convenience vessels, cheap foreign labour, and poor standards of regulation."

The CTU submission has made strong recommendations to the Inquiry including: establishing a chain of responsibility which links the holders of fishing quota to the working conditions on charter vessels; observers on such vessels at all times; higher pay rates for crew; investment in training and industry development so that there are more jobs for Kiwis in the industry, and; phasing out foreign charter vessels.

ENDS

Linked here ( Summary_of_NZCTU_Recommendations_to_Ministerial_Inquiry_into_Foreign_Charter_Vessels.doc) is a summary of NZCTU recommendations. The CTU will present at 2.15 pm on Monday 17th October at the Grand Chancellor Meeting Room, Hotel Grand Chancellor James Cook, 147 The Terrace, Wellington.

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