Headline: Nyet! Kiwi crew need to learn Russian for jobs
Kiwi fishing crew are now having to learn Russian to get work in the fisheries sector, showing that more and more Kiwis are being shut out of jobs, says Labour’s Fisheries spokesperson David Cunliffe.
“Kiwi company Sealord is now advertising for crew who speak Russian and can read mechanical instructions in that language. This is madness. It is completely wrong that a Kiwi fisherman should need to learn Russian to fish in Kiwi waters.
“How many Kiwis know Russian to the level of reading mechanical instructions? I’m willing to say very few, especially those in the fishing industry.
“Next they will have to read War and Peace to man the nets. Or Alexander Pushkin’s ‘The Tale of the Fisherman and the Fish’.
“It’s hard to see how your average Kiwi can get a job as crew when the Russian language is a must-have to get in the door. Perhaps the captains should learn English, or Māori.
“The Russian language test will be of particular concern to iwi, who want as many rangatahi as possible to learn skills in the fishing industry. Sealord is 50 per cent owned by iwi-based Aotearoa Fisheries Limited (AFL).
“Fisheries Minister Nathan Guy needs to explain how this job criterion has come into being and whether he supports it.
“Labour backs moves to bring all foreign charter vessels within New Zealand law – including English language requirements. As this advertisement shows, change cannot come soon enough to boost jobs for young New Zealanders,” said David Cunliffe.
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