‘It was sad to see men living in such conditions’

ACE ESMERIA and Rene Mesana accepted when they came to the British Isles that they would be earning just €435 per month.

Last night Rene said they knew it was a small wage for such a tough job as commercial fishing but they were willing to accept it given its greater worth in the Philippines.

Ace, 24, and Rene, 26, said they did not know that the minimum wage in this country is almost three times that figure. They were shocked when they heard that it was more than €8 per hour, pointing out they earned little more than that for a whole day’s work.