The KFO has welcomed the announcement last Thursday evening by Minister Coveney of a planned new scheme for non EEA workers in the Irish Fishing Fleet following agreement reached at the Departmental Task Force meeting on the same day for a new system for migrant workers in the fishing industry.
 
Sean O Donoghue CEO of the Killybegs Fishermen’s Organisation commented:
 
“The fishing industry has been lobbying for a long time to introduce a permit system for non EEA workers in the industry particularly in the whitefish and shellfish sectors to address the labour shortage. It is very welcome news that the Departmental Task Force Chaired by Minister Coveney has worked rapidly over the last three weeks to examine potential solutions which will bring about a significantly improved situation for non EEA workers in the Irish fishing industry and have for the most part taken on board our recommendations to the Task Force. This new scheme will enable the regularisation of those currently working on vessels in Ireland over a period of three months starting in January 2016 to enter into a new employment relationship. The new scheme will allow the Irish fishing industry meet its necessary labour needs while simultaneously allowing a structured transparent scheme whereby non EU workers can be recruited. These workers under the new scheme will be guaranteed all appropriate employment rights and protections during the period of their employment”
 
He added: “The Task Force arose out of a report on the 2nd of November 2015 in the Guardian newspaper on alleged widespread abuse of undocumented migrant workers in the Irish Fishing industry. I am pleased that the Task Force unlike the Guardian article recognised the difference between these alleged serious abuses and that of undocumented workers by providing a new scheme for these workers. The KFO and the other Producer Organisations were unambiguous in our response to those allegations and that the full rigours of the law should be applied if any of these alleged abuses are confirmed. We do not however believe this is a widespread phenomenon and it is our view that a very small number of operators may be responsible for such activity should same be proven to have occurred. ”
23rd November 2015