AN INTERNATIONAL transport union has called on the Government to ratify a convention on protecting employees on commercial fishing vessels in the light of recent losses at sea.
The Work in Fishing Convention was adopted by the International Labour Organisation in 2007, but cannot become operative until it is ratified by 10 member states, eight of which must be coastal.
Ireland is among the states that have not ratified the treaty. The convention covers pay, minimum age of employment, health and safety and working conditions. It assigns specific responsibilities on vessel owners for their crew, including ensuring minimum rest periods and appropriate food, accommodation and social security provision, and the right to repatriation when a contract ends.
International Transport Workers’ Federation co-ordinator for Ireland and Britain Ken Fleming said his union’s efforts to “secure the voluntary co-operation” in “improving standards” had not been successful. “The recent tragedies in Irish waters have highlighted the need for the convention to be ratified by the Government as soon as possible,” he said. The federation has published a guide in a number of languages for skippers, crews and trade unions.
