UN special rapporteurs claim exploitation of migrant workers has risen in fishing industry

Justice minister Charlie Flanagan is taking "very seriously" allegations by UN special rapporteurs about the exploitation of non-EU fishermen working in Ireland.

It comes as four special rapporteurs of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights have written to the Irish Government through its Irish Permanent Mission in Geneva raising information they have received about the Atypical Working Scheme (AWS) and allegations of trafficking in persons and severe forms of labour exploitation of migrant fishermen.