16 possible cases of trafficking in fishing industry; Government urged to halt work permit scheme

Sixteen potential human trafficking victims have been identified by an organisation that has threatened the Government with High Court proceedings unless it halts a permit scheme used by the fishing industry.

The Government has been told it will face the initiation of proceedings within 21 days if it does not put a pause on the atypical permit scheme for non-EU fishermen.

A legal team for the International Transport Workers Federation has written to Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan telling him it has identified 12 potential trafficking victims to gardaí who were all participants in the scheme.