On February 17th, the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) General Secretary Doro Zinke and the President of the ETF Fisheries Section, Peter Sand Mortensen, met EU Commissioner Joe Borg. During the meeting, the ETF representatives had the opportunity to express to the Commissioner the European fishermen’s concerns with respect to the developments in the Common Fisheries Policy and in particular to the lack of a social dimension in that policy and the inadequate involvement of employed fishermen and their representatives in the EU consultation process, be it in the Advisory Committee for Fisheries and Aquaculture or the Regional Advisory Councils.
The ETF delegation further expressed its support to the principle of a TACs and Quotas system and concerns with respect to the introduction of closed areas and the reduction of days at sea system. The need for social measures and the improvement of safety in the fishing sector, including proper training, unemployment schemes and protection of crew were also discussed.
Another important matter is the proposal for a European Fisheries Fund, presently being discussed by the Council and the European Parliament. The ETF stressed the need for a wide support from the social partners for the success of any measures aiming at addressing the socio-economic consequences of the necessary fishing effort management and the improvement of working and living conditions of those who remain in the sector. The ETF representatives were particularly pleased with the adherence from Mr. Joe Borg to their proposal for joint meetings to be held with the social partners in order to identify possible points of convergence in relation to the inclusion of effective socio economic measures therein.
The environmental impact of pollution on fish and other maritime life, the import of fish and fish products from third countries and the sustainability of the fishing activities were also discussed.
Finally, the ETF reassured Commissioner Borg of its willingness to actively contribute to the discussions in the framework of the Task Force to prepare a Green Paper on a EU maritime policy and welcomed the intention to include a social dimension in it.
