UNION investigators have found a catalogue of labour rights abuses on Thai fishing ships.

An International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) team found that crews on industrial vessels in southern port Songkhla were subject to poor working conditions, cramped accommodation and long contracts, some of them with no hope of returning home with any pay.

ITF inspector Keith McCorriston said: “The crews were scared to talk to us.

“They had no contracts, no toilet, no shower, no mattresses.

“Cooking facilities consisted of an open flame and basic utensils, the 24 crew slept in cramped accommodation. We spoke to one fisher who had been on board for 10 months, which may be a gross underestimate.”

ITF deputy regional secretary Mark Davis warned: “The workers are suffering throughout the region. “Neglect and abuse are rife for both migrant workers and Thai nationals.

“How have we got to a position where a fish has more value than the worker who catches it?”