NON-European fishermen are to be given documentation allowing them to work on fishing boats here.
The new scheme, which will allow the regularisation of undocumented fishermen, was brought in as a result of consultations following a Guardian investigation into alleged exploitation and trafficking of migrant workers in the Irish fishing industry.
Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI) spokesperson Pablo Rojas Coppari said, “We welcome the introduction of the Atypical Working Scheme for Fishermen. Allowing undocumented workers to become documented is the best way to fight exploitation, including trafficking. We particularly welcome the speed at which the Government introduced the scheme.”
Rojas Coppari continued: “It is critical that enforcement of fishermen’s rights is now prioritised. Fishermen work in isolated situations, in vessels out at sea with little connection to the local community.
“Inspection and monitoring are vital to ensure exploitation and human trafficking are fully eradicated. We will be monitoring the rollout of the scheme closely and working with fishermen, unions and the Government to combat all forms of exploitation in this sector.”
He concluded: “Unfortunately, the exploitation uncovered in the fishing sector is endemic in other low-waged sectors as well. Our research has shown that undocumented migrants are working here long-term, predominately in less-regulated sectors.
“Many experience serious exploitation and very poor working conditions in childcare, elder care, restaurants and agricultural work. The new Government must take action and bring in similar measures in these sectors to address this entrenched problem.”
