“Scottish fishing: Sailors detained for working illegally”

Three Indian sailors were detained for working illegally on a Scottish fishing boat, their trade union has said.

The men have now all left the UK voluntarily after being warned that they could have faced potential deportation and 10-year bans from entering the country, according to the International Transport Workers’ Federation or ITF…

The ITF said the men had signed contracts to work in international waters – but had ended up serving off the coast of Britain and even in port…

The union accused the men’s employers, Oban-based The Star Fishing Company, of breaching immigration rules…

“…three migrant fishers have been thrown in detention for over a month and threatened with severe, life-changing punishments, as a result solely of the action of their employer to fish in UK waters. Yet it is the workers who pay the price for a rogue employer, like The Star Fishing Company, breaking the law.”

…The Star Fishing Company is registered at the offices of one of its owners and directors, John “The Dredge” MacAlister of John MacAlister (Oban) Limited.

The Herald was unable to reach Mr MacAlister…

The Herald also sought comment from another major shareholder of The Star Fishing Company, Peterhead-based Seafood Ecosse. We received no response…