By Johannah Malogadihlare
The Congress of SA Trade Unions has welcomed a nationwide safety inspection of commercial fishing vessels by the SA Maritime Safety Authority following fatal fishing incidents last year
The first took place in May when the Lepanto sank to the bottom of the sea off the coast of Hout Bay, taking 11 fishermen with it. The fishermen’s bodies were never recovered, and they were eventually presumed dead by an order of court in September.
In another incident, 20 crew members were rescued off the coast of Gansbaai. Both incidents involved Sea Harvest.
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy ordered the authority to conduct the safety checks.
Cosatu spokesperson Zanele Sabela said on Monday that the federation saluted Creecy’s decision to prioritise the safety standards of fishermen, saying this issue had never been given the warranted attention it deserved.
Sabela said the International Labour Organisation had identified fishing as more dangerous to personal safety than firefighting or mining.
She also highlighted the poor conditions that fishermen could experience and how it affected their lives. These included vessels being wrecked or capsizing, fires, injuries due to slippery surfaces and from working with heavy, dangerous or unguarded equipment.
“Fishermen also suffer from special health problems, such as skin complaints and respiratory diseases, or the effects of noise and vibration. It is for these reasons that employers are charged with the responsibility of ensuring fishing vessels are safe and fit for purpose,” Sabela said in a statement.
Cosatu called on Creecy to ensure that the authority prioritised Sea Harvest.
“We reiterate this call because the outcomes of the audit will play a vital part in the Marine Court of Enquiry that is set to uncover all the questions left unanswered by the report into the sinking of the MFV Lepanto. The report was released in December,” said Sabela.
The federation has been working with the families of the 11 deceased fisherman, fighting for compensation and closure.
Meanwhile, the federation said it has welcomed the overall progressive objections of the Merchant Shipping Bill.
However, the Bill was not presented to the National Economic Development and Labour Council for engagement with organised labour, business and community.
It said the Bill was not explicit on whether the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act, Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act and National Minimum Wage would favour marine workers on South African vessels or on vessels in South African waters.
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