Sanfords’ changes welcome, but should be verified
1st August 2012

Sanfords’ newly-announced system to improve the working conditions of fishing crew includes welcome changes, but means little without third-party verification, the Anglican Diocese of Christchurch Social Justice Unit said today. It is also unclear whether the changes will prevent bonded labour.

On Monday, Sanford announced changes to protect the safety, pay and working conditions of fishing crew working on Foreign Charter Vessels (FCVs) that supply its products. Under the new system, Sanford will pay crews directly. Sanford will also require the FCV owner to pay recruitment fees, and will put more stringent requirements on foreign recruitment agencies.

Jolyon White, Social Justice Enabler for the Anglican Diocese of Christchurch, welcomed these changes.
“As too many past cases have shown, when crews are not paid directly they may never see their wages. It is also vital to shift responsibility for recruitment fees to the FCV owner, so that crews are not saddled with these fees: this is how you get bonded labour. It is encouraging that Sanfords is addressing these problems.”

However, he warned against being too quick to trust a company’s claims. “Sanfords has worked with some very dubious suppliers in the past. Several claims of former crews are currently in the courts. Without allowing independent scrutiny, companies can say what they like, and it is uncertain whether these changes will be put in place.”

Sanfords also has yet to outline how the new system will prevent bonded labour. “It remains unclear whether Sanfords will ban recruitment companies from requiring any collateral from crew. Without an outright ban on this practice, crews may arrive in a New Zealand job saddled with debts that ‘bond’ them to an unfair employer.

Sanfords’ steps are encouraging and should motivate changes from others in the industry. However, Sanfords should address the remaining shortcomings. Independent verification is also required, before the public can trust that the changes are in fact being actioned,” Jolyon White said.

ENDS

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