Latest modern slavery fight updates - FreedomUnited.org

Japanese Fishing Company to Pay $179,000 for Exploiting Indonesian Crew

  • Published on
    July 10, 2018
  • News Source Image
  • Category:
    Forced Labor, Human Trafficking, Supply Chain, Victories
Hero Banner

A Japanese fishing company has been ordered to pay nearly $180,000 in unpaid wages to 18 Indonesian crew working in New Zealand’s waters.

Watarai Company Ltd was found by the New Zealand Labor Inspectorate to have made serious employment breaches resulting in “clear exploitation.”

Related Campaign: Protect Pa-aling fishermen from modern slavery.

The $180,00 includes $97,715.87 for minimum wage entitlements, a $80,000 penalty, and $2071.56 for the Labor Inspector’s costs incurred pursuing the case.

Stuff.co.nz reports:

Labour Inspectorate fishing industry lead Jeanie Borsboom said the wages the crew received aboard the Koshin Maru 7 did not match the wages they were entitled to.

Their actual wages were calculated based on notes provided by a MPI observer on board the ship, as well as an analysis of work patterns.

“While the registration and chartering arrangements met New Zealand legislation requirements, the investigation uncovered clear exploitation of 18 Indonesian crew,” Borsboom said in a media release.

“It is very disappointing to see New Zealand operations which do not meet minimum labour standards in such a significant manner and put at risk a hard won reputation for sustainability in our fishery.

“This is particularly notable when it’s estimated the catch sale price of stock caught by the Koshin Maru 7 was at least $2,500,000,” she continued.

“There is no justification for underpaying employees under New Zealand employment law and we do not tolerate exploitation of any worker in New Zealand territories.

The Labor Inspectorate added that they were looking at “all options” to ensure that Watari complies with the Employment Relations Authority (ERA).

“If they want to maintain a reputation, not just in New Zealand but in fishing globally, they need to engage the system and pay their arrears,” said Borsboom.

This is the second time second time in less than a year that a Japanese boat chartered by NZ Japan Tuna Company has been punished by the ERA. Last July Ikeda Suisan Company was found to be underpaying its Indonesian crew, resulting in a $40,000 penalty and arrears of $82,252.

Take Action: Protect Pa-aling fishermen from modern slavery.

Subscribe

Freedom United is interested in hearing from our community and welcomes relevant, informed comments, advice, and insights that advance the conversation around our campaigns and advocacy. We value inclusivity and respect within our community. To be approved, your comments should be civil.

stop icon A few things we do not tolerate: comments that promote discrimination, prejudice, racism, or xenophobia, as well as personal attacks or profanity. We screen submissions in order to create a space where the entire Freedom United community feels safe to express and exchange thoughtful opinions.

Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

This week

India’s shrimp industry contaminated by forced labor, hazardous conditions, new investigations reveal

The insatiable demand for shrimp in Western countries has led to the rapid expansion of hatcheries and processing plants across traditional farming communities in India. However, according to recent investigations by Corporate Accountability Lab (CAL), the Associated Press and Outlaw Ocean, not only are the new hatcheries and processing plants contaminating the water and soil making it almost impossible to staple grow crops like rice, they also hide

| Wednesday March 20, 2024

Read more