UK fishing industry federations have been quick to condemn a new set of government guidelines currently under consultation, condemning gender employment quota proposals as ‘unworkable.’
Following the lead from Norway and Iceland, where fishing vessels carrying a crew of more than six are legally required to employ at least two female crew. Equality legislation in Nordic countries stipulates that no more than two-thirds of staff in any workplace can be of one gender, and now DEFRA and SeaFish are approaching the end of a consultation with the UK industry ahead of similar legislation being implemented.
Under the proposed legislation, fishing vessels would be required to be fitted with demarcated accommodation and hygiene facilities for men and women.
Workplaces with five or fewer staff may be exempted, so the requirement will extend only to larger vessels with crews of six or more.
‘It’s political correctness gone mad,’ said Hugh Jampton of the Gosport Retired Fishermen’s Benevolent Association which represents a group of south coast fishing vessels.
‘But it seems we don’t have a choice in this as the government intends to push this legislation through, even though it has been made clear that it won’t work and there’s no need for it. If every fishing boat has to have its accommodation divided into two sections and extra showers and toilers fitted, then the costs are going to be colossal.’
He commented that a possible solution being explored is for a derogation under which accommodation and other areas could be designed as ‘non-gender-specific’ as away of working around the requirement, although this could be only a temporary fix.
‘The gender gap in the fishing industry has been a cause for concern for some years,’ commented an official spokesperson.
‘By implementing this legislation we hope to see a greater equality in the fishing industry and to provide more opportunities for young people in an industry that needs to recruit a new generation.’
