The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney T.D, has published the report of the Government Task Force on Non-EEA Workers in the Irish Fishing Industry.
A Task Force was set up just over a month ago by Government following reports of alleged abuses of migrant workers on board Irish fishing vessels.
It recommended a new sector specific Atypical Worker Permission system which will enable employers in specific parts of the Irish Fishing fleet to source and employ workers from non-EEA countries. This will take place under a structured and transparent framework.
Minister Coveney, who chaired the Task Force, said: “These new arrangements will provide a clear pathway for the employment of non-EEA workers in parts of the Irish fishing fleet while ensuring that such workers cannot be exploited.”
He continued: “The Task Force strongly benefited from the input of the Migrant Rights Centre and the International Transport Workers Federation which outlined the experiences of non EEA workers and outlined measures that would give protection to these workers.”
The report’s main recommendations included the establishment of a new system of atypical permission specific to the fishing sector for recruitment of non-EEA workers and a pre-clearance system to be put in place.
As well as a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to be put in place before the commencement of the scheme by the relevant State enforcement bodies to provide a rigorous and effective inspection system.
The Minister added: “I am also greatly encouraged by the engagement of Fishing Industry representative organisations with the work of the Task Force. The Task Force evaluated the information provided and developed a scheme that will support structured employment of crew on fishing vessels and give guarantees on conditions of work to these employees.”
“I hope to have the new arrangements, which will provide for up to 500 non-EEA workers to work legally in Ireland’s Fishing Industry, in place very early in the New Year.”
