Top supermarkets and seafood businesses are in talks to launch a pilot scheme in North East Scotland to ensure fair employment conditions for migrant crew on UK fishing vessels, according to those close to the discussions.
The consumer groups include Tesco, Asda, Morrisons and Whitby Seafoods, which belong to the Seafood Ethics Action (Sea) Alliance. The alliance is overseeing discussions on behalf of its members that together represent 95 per cent of the UK seafood market.
The move to improve the welfare of migrant workers follows strong criticism of the seafood industry over its dependence on low-paid fishers from countries such as the Philippines, Ghana, and Sri Lanka.
Many migrant fishers are employed through an immigration loophole that leaves them unprotected by UK employment law because the boats they work on fish in international waters. Human rights lawyers have argued the system facilitates modern slavery.
The government is facing a judicial review over the so-called “transit visa” system underpinning this form of employment, which was the subject of a Financial Times investigation last month.
The “worker-driven social responsibility” pilot would ensure minimum standards around wages, rest and grievance procedures. It is being devised in consultation with workers, and participating suppliers would be audited by an independent council, though the details have not yet been finalised.
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