New Zealand’s reputation has been damaged by reports of abuse on foreign fishing boats and “urgent corrective action is required'” to fix standards, an inquiry has found.
A ministerial inquiry was launched last year following allegations that overseas crew members were working in appalling conditions on foreign charter vessels (FCV) for New Zealand companies, and were subjected to physical, mental and sexual abuse.
Primary Industries Minister David Carter and Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson today released the inquiry’s report, which gave 15 recommendations to improve standards — six of which the government planned to pick up immediately.
While the inquiry did not investigate specific claims of abuse, poor living and working conditions and underpayment, the report said it had discussed the complaints in detail with some overseas crew members and government officials.
Click here to read the full story from the New Zealand Herald >
