The sun goes down on Auckland as it approaches Earth Hour, March 27, 2010.
The sun goes down on Auckland as it approaches Earth Hour, March 27, 2010. The Earth Hour, when everyone is asked to turn off lights for an hour from 8.30 p.m. local time, is a show of support for tougher action to confront climate change. Viaduct Harbour is seen in the foreground, the Sky Tower at right. Reuters/Nigel Marple

Indonesian fishermen in New Zealand waters are living in violence, sexual abuse and slave-like conditions. A new research by Auckland University has found that the fishermen were forced to work and faced debt entrapment.

Based on interviews with 300 fishermen, researchers had found that they were forced to work in long shifts ranging from 16 to 53 hours for wages as low as 49 cents an hour. Some crew said they eat rotting fish bait just to survive.

The report said work conditions on some fishing boats, owned mostly by Korean companies chartered by Kiwi firms, meet international criteria for forced labour, slavery and trafficking, reports Stuff. One worker recalled his experience while working in a long shift. He told researchers that a Korean officer punched him at the back of the head and on the face several times when he was feeling very sleepy.

The report said the ship’s officers had absolute power over the boats and the fishermen. The officers use physical threats and withhold payment to maintain control. Researchers also learned that rape and sexual assault were common in the all-male boats.

One crew member also spoke about a worker being raped by the officers on the bunk below his. Another man revealed he was raped below deck. “Suddenly, [the officer] came and tried to kiss me. I tried to stop his body pushing up against mine to the point that I fell I couldn’t stand it and I felt repulsed and disgusted… he kept pushing it on to me,” said the man.

Many of the fishermen had gone into debt with the recruiters since they offered their homes as collateral. Researchers learned that one worker had decided to leave the ship in New Zealand after the officers beat and abused him sexually. His absence had left his family in a dire situation. The unnamed worker’s brother was fined $15,000 and the court seized his house as payment.

The report said local employment law covers the ships sailing in New Zealand waters but none of the workers receive the minimum wage. Crew members earn between $6,700 and $11,600 on average each a year.

Auckland University researcher Glenn Simmons said hearing the stories of the fishermen was “gut wrenching.” The New Zealand government had announced a ministerial inquiry into foreign charter vessels (FCVs) in 2012. It was followed by an amendment that will encompass all FCVs under New Zealand labour law, reports FIS. Simmons said many of the men were deeply traumatised and New Zealand firms chartering Korean fishing boats should be aware of the conditions on board.

(To report problems or leave feedback on this article, contact: r.su@ibtimes.com.au)

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