ILO holds consultation on the fishing sector

Representatives from the Ministry of Labour, the fishing industry, and employees and employers’ unions, converged at the Peace Memorial Hall last Thursday for a consultation on the recently held International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention on the fishing sector.{{more}}

The meeting of ILO member states, which took place in Geneva, Switzerland, in June this year, ratified the fishing sector convention, which had made a failed bid in 2005.

According to Minister of Labour Rene Baptiste, who attended the Geneva meeting, under the convention, the ILO is ensuring that there are decent conditions with regard to work, health and safety, food and accommodation for persons involved in the fishing industry, especially on fishing vessels.

The Minister stated that the convention consists of 46 provisions divided into 9 parts; these include proper facilities on vessels, responsibilities of owners and skippers, and the minimum age of workers in the industry.

The Minister also stated that this country’s government is committed to the development of the fishing industry, and has invested millions of dollars in that effort.

She said that persons involved in the industry should upgrade not only in equipment and fishing techniques, but also education and training.

Also addressing the consultation were Gerald Crick of the Employers Federation and Lloyd Small of the Commercial, Technical and Allied Workers’ Union (CTAWU).

Both were at the ILO’s Geneva Convention, along with the Minister.

Both Crick and Small agreed that the provisions outlined in the convention were satisfactory to their organizations, and will benefit the industry.

According to Chief Fisheries Officer Raymond Ryan, five percent of this country’s labour force is involved in the fishing industry. (JJ)