The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) held an important conference today, spotlighting the working conditions and fair pay challenges faced by non-EU fishers employed on EU vessels. The event gathered a diverse group of policymakers from the EU Commission, Parliament and the ILO, experts, and industry stakeholders to address wage discrepancies and non-EU workers’ conditions in the sector.
The event highlighted critical issues surrounding the employment and pay of non-EU fishers employed on EU vessels in the framework of Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements (SFPAs) that the EU negotiate with third countries to grant access to the EU fleet to the countries’ waters and resources.
Speakers emphasized the importance of equitable wages, transparent hiring practices, and strict adherence to international labour standards like the ILO Convention C188, designed to protect the rights of all fishers at sea.
“Non-EU fishers deserve decent pay”, said Livia Spera, General Secretary of the ETF, in her conclusions, “Manning agencies need to operate in a more transparent way, and fishers need to be paid directly by vessels’ owners. Abuses must be punished severely: the time for fair treatment of these essential workers is long overdue.” She added, “The problem of conditions of employment and fair pay for non-EU fishers employed on the EU fleet is also observed more and more in EU waters. It is not only a matter of social dumping but also an issue about the claim that the EU adheres to higher social standards that need to be confirmed by facts”.
The conference concluded with calls for action in terms of strict monitoring and implementation of the social clause of SFPAs and policies to address the role of manning agencies that lack sufficient transparency and open up opportunities for exploitation.
ETF urges EU institutions and fishing companies to take responsibility by enforcing fair employment practices, committing to fair pay for all workers on EU vessels, and ensuring that labour standards are upheld.