May 17, 2006

The Mari­time Uni­on says that the treat­ment of a Ukrain­i­an fish­ing crew in Lyt­telton is a nation­al dis­grace and a prime example of the prob­lems plaguing the fish­ing industry.

The crew have been on strike for unpaid wages aboard the fish­ing ves­sel Malak­hov Kur­gan which is laid up in the Port of Lyt­telton.

Eight crew mem­bers remain on strike aboard after refus­ing a deal that 19 of their fel­low crew mem­bers accep­ted.