Maritime Union of New Zealand

The Maritime Union is backing rallies in New Zealand ports over the next week to end the use of methyl bromide.

Maritime Union of New Zealand General Secretary Joe Fleetwood says maritime workers want to see the toxic gas taken out of use.

“The time is up for methyl bromide and New Zealand needs to be moving into line with where the world is going.”

He says the Union is part of a new Coalition Against the use of Methyl Bromide bringing together workers, environmental groups, political parties and community organizations.

Methyl bromide is used in ports and aboard ships to fumigate logs for pests but most of New Zealand’s major trading partners will accept other treatments.

Methyl bromide also harms the ozone layer, and is being phased out internationally under the Montreal Protocol.

Mr Fleetwood says the deaths of six port workers in Nelson from motor neuron disease has led to ongoing debate about possible links with methyl bromide.

He says that further research is being carried out on the effects of methyl bromide on human health, and there was cause for concern.

He says the Maritime Union is very concerned that businesses profiting from methyl bromide use and Government agencies have been too closely linked up until 2009 through the STIMBR group.

“It seems once again that profit has taken priority over the safety of workers, communities and environment.”

Protests taking place at the ports of Picton, Wellington and Tauranga will highlight the large amount of methyl bromide gas that is being used at these ports, and the risk this poses to worker’s health and the ozone layer.

Protest Schedule

Picton

Date: Friday April 23
Time: 12.00
Location: Shakespeare Bay Lookout
Map – http://bit.ly/9tNucR

Wellington

Date: Monday April 26
Time: 12.00
Location: The footpath outside of the Bluebridge entrance
Map – http://bit.ly/9MqJ2R

Tauranga

Date: Wednesday April 28
Time: 12.00
Location: Corner of Totara St and Hull Rd. It is the first intersection from the wharf.
Map – http://bit.ly/aZW3US

Members of the Coalition are:

Soil and Health Association of New Zealand
The Green Party
Rail and Maritime Transport Union
New Zealand Council of Trade Unions
The Safe Food Campaign
Guardian of the Sounds
Pesticide Action Network Aotearoa New Zealand
Maritime Union of New Zealand
Friends of Nelsonhaven and Tasman Bay
The Alliance Party

The Maritime Union says the shipjumping of eight Indonesians in Wellington from the fishing vessel ‘San Liberatore’ was entirely predictable as the ship had a history of problems.

Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson says the Union had to intervene on two occasions this year when overseas crew members on the ‘San Liberatore’ were being made to do waterfront work normally done by New Zealand workers.

“There have been Government reports saying there is abuse going on aboard these fishing vessels in New Zealand waters – why don’t we put the spotlight on the companies operating these vessels, rather than the workers?”

He says that immigration officials face an impossible job unless the rules governing the industry are tightened up.

Mr Hanson says that sooner or later the lid is going to be lifted on the practices going on in the industry.

“When it blows, there are going to be people running for cover, because the practices that are going on are totally unacceptable.”

Mr Hanson says the Australian Government together with WWF International and the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) released a report in November that clearly identifies the environmental damage and exploitation of workers going on aboard “flag of convenience” fishing vessels.

He says the Australian Government has just announced a $220 million package to buy back fishing licenses and restructure the industry to make it sustainable.

Mr Hanson says under the proposed free trade agreements New Zealand is negotiating, the maritime industry may be flung open allowing the worst operators even greater access, with no ability to restrict their activities or stop the exploitation of cheap Third World labour.

The Maritime Union says the weekend incident when a group of Chinese fishermen jumped overboard in Wellington Harbour should be setting alarm bells ringing.

Maritime Union General Secretary Trevor Hanson says the incident is just one of a continuous series of ship jumping and problems experienced by crew onboard foreign and joint venture fishing boats.

“The Maritime Union has been continually pointing out that there is something badly wrong as overseas crews are being subjected to abuse and exploitation while they are in New Zealand waters, and even New Zealand ports.”

He says the act of the Chinese fishermen jumping overboard with their suitcases while in the middle of the harbour was one of desperation, and it seemed likely that one crew member may have drowned.

The situation was made even more outrageous because local crews were being laid off New Zealand fishing vessels, then replaced by overseas crews employed on rock bottom wages and conditions in a climate of fear and secrecy.

“It is simply a case of further exploitation of workers, using one against another to compete for employment in the international market.”

Mr Hanson says because it is happening on the New Zealand coast there is no excuse for it to be ignored by politicians and bureaucrats.

He says that the latest incident in Wellington harbour could probably be seen from Lambton Quay, so the situation could no longer be ignored and urgent attention was required.

Mr Hanson says that overseas crews are regularly jumping ship throughout New Zealand, and says a recent incident in Bluff where crew jumped ship from the ‘Melilla 201’ had revealed a history of death, injury and pollution on that ship and its sister ship the ‘Melilla 203.’

He says a report has been put together by the Department of Labour about conditions onboard joint venture fishing vessels, but has not been made public.

“The Maritime Union is concerned that under free trade agreements, the problems being experienced now will be magnified tenfold, with short-term, casual labour being moved between countries to push down wages and conditions.”