The signing ceremony will take place in Gothenburg, Sweden, in the presence of Maria
Damanaki, European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Javier Garat,
President of Europche, Giampaolo Buonfiglio, Chairman of the Copa-Cogeca Fish
Working group, on behalf of Cogeca and Eduardo CHAGAS, ETF General Secretary.
The
text negotiated by social partners is at the moment being assessed by the European
Commissions legal services.
Towards social acquis in European fishing sector
By signing this agreement, the European social partners contribute to the systematisation of
the social acquis in the fishing sector with the aim to encourage Member States to ratify the
Convention and complete a European and global level playing field on the matter.
They also
wish to give a strong signal to the governments and fishing sectors of ILO Member States
from outside the EU, on the need to ratify the Convention as soon as possible. Moreover,
once the Convention will have been transposed into EU law, infringements detected in EU
ports and waters will be subject to the rule of the European Court of Justice.
The SPA is the result of negotiations that started in 2010 and were concluded in the Sectoral
Social Dialogue Committee for Sea Fisheries meeting held on 26 March 2012.
This
agreement shows the ability of the European Sectoral Social Dialogue to fully participate in
the enactment of legally-binding EU regulation, provided that there is a strong commitment
and a joint willingness to negotiate in a constructive atmosphere for the benefit of the
workers, employers and the overall sector, the social partners commented.
Tightened legal framework on working and living conditions
The agreement demonstrates a clear pledge of the European Social Partners in favour of
enhanced working and living conditions of fishermen on board vessels flying EU flags and vessels calling at European ports, regardless their flag and the nationality of the crew. It
comprises minimum requirements for working on board, conditions of service,
accommodation and food, occupational safety and health protection, medical care and social
security as defined in the ILO Work in Fishing Convention, 2007 (No 188).
The agreement
will in particular contribute to tighten the legal frame of those Member States whose
legislation relating to the above-mentioned matters can be regarded as somewhat flawed.
By signing the SPA, the European social partners hope to encourage Member States to ratify
the Convention, and give the EU an opportunity to have a crucial role in accelerating its entry
into force, thereby ensuring that fishermen worldwide have access to decent working and
living conditions. Once the legal assessment of the agreement would have neared
completion, the social partners will request the Commission to propose a Council Directive
through which the provisions contained in their agreement will be effectively implemented in
EU law.
