The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) wrote to Fisheries Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius on Tuesday 17 March asking him to provide support to fishermen who have to stop their activities due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
"Our members across Europe have reported that vessels” particularly those fishing close to shore and not staying more than 72 hours at sea, “have stopped fishing or expect to stop within the next few days”, the letter states. Indeed, nobody is buying fresh fish, because restaurants and markets are closed. “To safeguard livelihoods, support to fishermen for suspension of activity needs to be considered”, writes the ETF.
Salaried fishermen run the risk that fisheries activities will start and then stop again due to the introduction of biological rest periods, the letter explains. “As you know, most employed fishermen are paid by a share of the catch, so a suspension of fishing activities means no income for workers.”
In the current situation, it would be fair to grant aid to employed fishermen during the period of inactivity due to the health emergency caused by the coronavirus.
To read the letter: https://bit.ly/38UPkdC (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)