Swain defends delay in action

Labour Minister Paul Swain has defended a decision not to immediately contact police over claims of violence on board boats fishing in New Zealand waters.

The report, completed in December, looked at the working conditions of foreign crew on New Zealand fishing vessels and conditions on foreign vessels fishing under contract to local companies.

Last week Mr Swain released the damning Labour Department report.

Some crew of foreign-owned boats alleged they were beaten with pieces of wood, hit on the hands with a hammer, denied food and adequate medical treatment.

National MP Nick Smith said action should have been taken sooner.

He questioned how seriously Mr Swain took the allegations, saying he sat on the report for 5 1/2 months before contacting authorities last week.

"How can they possibly now take any action when both the fishing boat and the crew have long gone?"

Mr Swain said the primary focus of the report was to look at whether two companies - Sealord and Amaltal - were meeting their obligations under the Minimum Wage Act and the Holidays Act.

"Since the second of December 2004 the findings of the investigation have been put to both companies for comment."

Mr Swain said the allegations were made anonymously in an appendix to the report but were being treated seriously and had now been referred to police, the Maritime Safety Authority and the Human Rights Commission.

He would also raise concerns with the industry in an upcoming meeting.

Mr Swain said it was a matter of natural justice that the companies had a chance to respond to the report before it was released publicly.

The alleged victims had asked that the allegations not be forwarded on until they asked the department to do so, he said.

"However, since the report has been made public the allegations have been referred to the appropriate authorities."

Greens co-Leader Rod Donald said foreign crews were being paid less than they should be, which undermined New Zealand workers' salaries.

Mr Swain said companies were legally required to pay New Zealand wages and conditions - which was "what the nature of that report was about".

He said the companies were ensuring they met requirements.

- NZPA