Fishing Inquiry Long Overdue Says Union

The union representing over 2,000 workers in the seafood industry says the inquiry into the industry is long overdue and must be extensive and robust to address the huge issues in the industry.

Service and Food Workers Union Ngā Ringa Tota spokesperson Neville Donaldson said the union had conducted a long campaign to have the issues addressed and had collected 13,000 signatures on a petition calling for an inquiry. That petition will be presented to the Primary Production Select Committee on 4 August.

“We are pleased the Government has listened to the call from the community and welcome this decision. But the terms of reference must be extensive and robust,” said Neville Donaldson.

“The issues in the industry go much further than ending the disgraceful exploitation of foreign workers fishing within our exclusive economic zone. Thousands of New Zealanders have lost jobs in the seafood industry over the past 10 years and any inquiry must investigate the causes of the job loss and the lost opportunity for future employment. It must also consider measures to ensure New Zealand and New Zealanders benefit from our fishing industry,” he said.

Neville Donaldson said these measures could include regulations requiring a fixed minimum percentage of quota to be value-added processed in New Zealand and a minimum percentage of New Zealand crew on any vessel fishing our economic zone.

“In addition to obvious questions about the loss of economic benefit to New Zealand as a result of current practices of leasing quotas to foreign vessels and crews, the terms of reference should investigate whether the current system delivers a fair balance between profit for quota holders and social values of respect, dignity and decent employment,” he said. “Upskilling of New Zealand workers, and the impact on employment and job skills of Māori workers, who have traditionally made up a large percentage of the workforce, is also a critical issue.”

Neville Donaldson said the inquiry’s credibility depended on an adequate timeframe and the ability of all interested parties to make genuine submissions. The Service and Food Workers Union would seek assurances from Government that the union would be invited to participate in the inquiry.

ENDS

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