Irish Government And The ITF Agree Deal To Protect Migrant Workers From Slavery

Matthias Kelly QC (instructed by Mason Hayes and Curran) successfully led a legal team representing the International Transport Federation (ITF), a global federation of Transport Unions, in a unique legal challenge to Irish Government policy in relation to the working conditions and rights of migrant fishers in the Irish fishing fleet. The challenge centered on permits granted to the fishers and alleged that the scheme as operated facilitated modern slavery.

The case was settled by mediation following a three day hearing in the High Court in Dublin. As a result migrant workers on Irish fishing ships will be given additional protections aimed at preventing modern slavery in the industry, under a deal agreed between the Irish government and the ITF.

Please see attached the reports by Reuters and The Guardian.