Ukrainian fishing vessel crew hunger strike Lyttelton Port
May 31st, 2006 by Fishing admin
Fishing union throws weight behind hunger strikers
The Maritime Union yesterday threw its weight behind a Ukrainian fishing vessel crew on hunger strike in Lyttelton Port.
The union’s general secretary Trevor Hanson said the men’s protest for wages they claim is owed to them under New Zealand law is a “symptom of the disease of exploitation in the fishing industry”.
Four crew members aboard the Malakhov Kurgan this week locked themselves in a cabin and said they are going on an indefinite hunger strike.
Mr Hanson said the union was concerned for the men’s well-being as they were “becoming desperate”.
He said he also had concerns for their safety if they returned home.
The fishing vessel has been laid up in Lyttelton with mechanical problems.
Other crew members have returned home after accepting payments, but Mr Hanson said deals brokered by the Department of Labour are being investigated by the union.
“All crew should be paid at least the minimum wage and we don’t believe they have been, and we have not yet seen anything from the Department to change our mind.”
The men were recruited by a Ukrainian company in partnership with Christchurch company United Fisheries after being promised they would earn the minimum New Zealand wage of $10.23 an hour.
Mr Hanson said the situation was a shameful reflection of New Zealand’s treatment of overseas workers.