July 4, 2014 — Commercial fishing operations in particular exist in an environment that is often referred to as a jurisdictional black hole – a situation where there is no real social or legal accountability – with those most likely to be abused, least able to have a say or stand up for themselves, says Thomas Harré, one of the legal team at Slave Free Seas (SFS). SFS is a charitable trust based in New Zealand “to fight the business of modern slavery on the seas”. It is the only NGO in the world with a specific focus on ending human trafficking for forced labor at sea.
“This is a group of people that has had little effective attention dedicated to them or their working conditions which are arguably the most harsh on the planet. The failure of many flag states and the international regulatory system to adequately implement and enforce international labor, human rights and criminal standards has exposed thousands of seafarers to exploitation and abuse globally.”
The underlying cause of sub-standard shipping practices is the commercial advantage, through cost shifting to crew and the environment. A shipowner can gain through avoiding international standards for safety, environment protection or labor conditions, he says. “The abuse and suffering experienced by these seafarers is a disgrace.”
New Zealand’s use of cheap labor on fishing boats was scathingly labelled ‘21st Century slavery’ in a US State Department report released in mid-2012. It cited conditions of forced labor, including debt bondage, imposition of significant debts, physical violence, mental abuse and excessive hours of work aboard vessels in New Zealand waters.
Read the full story and watch the video at Maritime Executive