Protest outside Port Nelson over coastal shipping job losses to 'cheaper foreign labour'

Protest outside Port Nelson over coastal shipping job losses
Warren Gamble, Apr 02 2023 https://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/300845097/protest-outside-port-...

Seafarers and supporters protest outside Port Nelson on Sunday after the loss of jobs from the cancellation of a coastal shipping service.
Seafarers who lost their jobs with the closure of a coastal shipping service have staged a protest outside Port Nelson seeking greater opportunities for Kiwi crews.

About 10 Nelson-based seafarers were among up to 60 crew across the country who lost their jobs with the announcement last month that international shipping giant Maersk was closing its service that linked New Zealand ports. The service had been going for less than a year.

Affected Nelson Maritime Union members were joined in a protest on Haven Rd outside Port Nelson on Sunday by supporters and members of other unions. The protesters had placards urging support for coastal shipping and seeking a change to the Maritime Transport Act to prioritise New Zealand flagged and crewed ships.

The union’s Nelson branch president, Dean Hogg, said Maersk’s replacement international service employed cheaper foreign labour. He said the new service took advantage of a rule allowing ships to visit New Zealand ports for up to 28 days before they were required to employ New Zealand crew.