ELLIE ADHAMH

scrapped

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Castaways did not have working permit

The Egyptian fishermen who were rescued from the 'Ellie Adhamh' did not have a work permit. They were not signed up for the work permit scheme for non-European Economic Area migrant fishers. Employers must apply to the Department of Justice for the permit under the atypical work permit scheme, and draw up a one year contract of employment and submit it to the Department of Agriculture. The work permit scheme sets out minimum conditions of employment, including a requirement that employees are not paid below the statutory minimum wage. The two Egyptian survivors and another former crew member were concerned about how they would survive and provide for their families at home. They do not have access to social welfare but hoped they will be permitted to receive payments during a garda investigation into their situation. The ITF has made complaints to the gardaí, the Marine Survey Office and the Workplace Relations Commission relating to the men’s working conditions and status. They obtained written confirmation from the Department of Justice that no application was ever made by the boat owner for approval to employ the three fishermen. The union has written confirmation from the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine that the owner did not submit copies of contracts of employment for the three Egyptian nationals to the department. The fishermen said they were taken on on the basis that they would get a share of the profits which was not permitted under the atypical permit scheme as it was not a guaranteed wage. Two of the three undocumented workers received a “cover stamp” on their passports from Garda National Immigration Bureau officers in Bantry, but this did not constitute enrolment on the work permit scheme. The Atypical Working Scheme Unit of the Department of Justice has sought clarification from the vessel owner, via their solicitor, regarding the manner in which the rescued non-EEA nationals were employed and entered the State to determine if any future applications made on the basis of work with this employer should be accepted. To date no response has been received from the employer. The matter has also been referred, via the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, as chair of the Scheme’s Oversight Committee, to the Marine Safety Office and the Workplace Relations Commission for investigation and action as appropriate.

Medevac off Dingle

The Valentia coastguard coordinated the medical evacuation of the skipper of the "Elli Adhamh" who was suffering from a suspected case of appendicitis 120 miles off the coast of Dingle on Jan 23, 2015. Emergency services were first notified of the incident shortly before 1.30 p.m., and helicopters from Waterford and Sligo were deployed to the scene.The patient was hoisted and taken to Shannon Airport shortly from where ha was transferred to Limerick hospital. There were six other crew members on board and the remainder was now returning to land. It was expected that they arrived at Castletownbere in the morning of Jan 24.