ITF response to New Zealand reflagging decision

News Release International Transport Federation (ITF) May 23, 2012

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Commenting on the New Zealand
government’s decision to ban foreign-flagged fishing vessels in its waters,
Jon Whitlow, secretary of the ITF (International Transport Workers'
Federation)fisheries section, described the move as "welcome, right and
overdue. Scandal has followed scandal in this area in recent years,
including grave instances of crew abuse. We
congratulate
MUNZ (the Maritime Union of New Zealand) and all those who pushed for
this reform."
 
ENDS
 
MUNZ today issued the
following press release, which you may find helpful.
 
Maritime Union welcomes Government decision to reflag foreign fishing
vessels
 
Maritime Union of New
Zealand media release Tuesday 22 May 2012
 
The Maritime Union has
welcomed the Government's announcement that foreign charter fishing vessels
working in New Zealand waters will have to be reflagged under the New Zealand
flag.
 
Maritime Union of New
Zealand General Secretary Joe Fleetwood says this will mean that fishing vessels
catching New Zealand quota will have to fully comply with New Zealand
employment, health and safety, and labour laws, once the policy comes into
force.
 
Mr Fleetwood says the
moves can't come soon enough, and the four year transition period announced was
overly generous.
 
He says he hopes that no
exemptions will be given at the end of the four year period to any foreign
flagged vessels.
 
"Given the string of
fishery breaches, labour abuses and harm to crew members experienced in recent
years, we must ensure that the industry is policed over the transition
period."
 
The Maritime Union has
spent many years calling for stronger regulation of the fishing industry, and
through its affiliation to the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF)
has assisted many foreign crew members in distress who have been victims of
unethical and sometimes illegal practices.
 
The situation had now got
to the point where New Zealand's reputation was in jeopardy with some of our
biggest trading partners, including the United States.
 
Mr Fleetwood says the
Maritime Union would also like to see some specific measures to give young New
Zealand workers an opportunity to work in our fishing industry.
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