NEWS FROM THE CELTIC LEAGUE
As part of my cooperation with New York Times journalist Ian Urbina earlier this year in which we highlighted exploitation of mariners I publicised Ian’s articles well researched series in the NYT entitled ‘The Outlaw Ocean’ (links):
https://www.celticleague.net/news/international-new-york-times-outlaw-ocean-articles-inspire-class-actions/
https://www.celticleague.net/news/imo-urged-to-investigate-the-outlaw-ocean/
https://www.celticleague.net/news/outlaw-ocean-murder-video-how-can-you-sleep-easy-ilo-asked/
https://www.celticleague.net/news/ny-times-gets-kerry-support-to-improve-lot-of-those-at-sea/
Of primary interest initially was the burgeoning offshore shipping registers including of course the Isle of Man’s very sizeable global tonnage.
However a major part of the ‘Outlaw Ocean’ focus was on the conditions endured by fishermen globally and particularly in the Far East where conditions of forced labour verging on slavery were highlighted.
The NYT/Urbina articles eventually prompted action at the highest level in the US government with Secretary of State John Kerry pledging to make the issue an agenda item.
Now disturbingly more closer to home come allegations that the fishing industry in the Celtic countries is open to abuses. The United Kingdom guardian ran the attached article earlier this week:
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/nov/02/ireland-exploiting-the-legal-tangle-on-work-permits-for-fishermen
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/nov/02/revealed-trafficked-migrant-workers-abused-in-irish-fishing-industry
It has prompted a swift rebuttal from fishermen’s leaders in Ireland – see this link to today’s Irish Times report:
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/fishing-leader-rejects-guardian-report-on-exploitation-1.2415966
However the Guardian allegations have a disturbing echo of the range of abuses uncovered by Ian Urbina and the New York Times.
With an increasingly large and migratory workforce who are vulnerable and open to exploitation it is important a prompt and thorough investigation takes place of conditions in the fishing industry in all the Celtic countries both offshore and at onshore processing plants many of which are now staffed by migrant labour.
(Please note range of articles at celticleague.net archive just type ‘Outlaw Ocean’ into search)
BERNARD MOFFATT
Issued by: The Celtic News
04/11/15
THE CELTIC LEAGUE INFORMATION SERVICE. The Celtic League established in 1961 has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It promotes cooperation between the countries and campaigns on a range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It highlights human rights abuse, military activity and socio-economic issues https://celticleague.net