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	A new taskforce looking at the alleged mistreatment of migrant workers on Irish fishing boats is to meet for the first time on Thursday.</p>
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	The inter-departmental government group was established in response to allegations made by The Guardian newspaper that illegal African and Asian workers are routinely used as cheap labour on board some Irish trawlers.</p>
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	The paper reported that undocumented workers have been employed in the Irish fishing industry on extremely low pay, less than half the minimum wage, and they endure terrible working conditions including sleep deprivation and inhuman hours.</p>
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	It was also reported that some may have been trafficked via Belfast on UK transit visas in what they described as a &ldquo;catalogue of abuses&rdquo;.</p>
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	Representatives from the Departments of Justice, Jobs, Transport, Marine, the Attorney General&rsquo;s office, agencies and the Garda&iacute; are to attend.</p>
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	The Minister for the Marine Simon Coveney will chair the group, which is to meet in Dublin.</p>
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	His department said the meeting aims to &ldquo;formulate a co-ordinated and effective cross-government approach&rdquo; to the matter.</p>
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	The chairman of the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Andrew Doyle, said: &ldquo;It is important for the reputation of the Irish fishing industry that we involve all relevant arms of the State in putting in place a comprehensive and exhaustive examination of these claims.&rdquo;</p>
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	&ldquo;At our committee meeting, members expressed deep concern at such allegations but also wished to place on record their support for the many members of the Irish fishing industry that operate within the confines of the law.&rdquo;</p>
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	-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Andrew Doyle, Chairman</p>
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	&ldquo;These allegations, especially in relation to the safety of workers, deserve the highest level of attention in order to safeguard the future of our fishing industry and we will monitor the work of the taskforce closely,&rdquo; he added.</p>
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	<a href="http://utv.ie/News/2015/11/05/Taskforce-to-meet-over-alleged-fishing-industry-abuse-48291">http://utv.ie/News/2015/11/05/Taskforce-to-meet-over-alleged-fishing-industry-abuse-48291</a></p>
