Employment

This fact sheet gives basic information on Employment rights for Share Fishermen and people in the Merchant Navy. Please contact SAIL on 0845 7413318 if you would like advice or assistance with your employment query.

Share Fishermen


Employment Law defines a Share Fisherman as someone who does not have a contract of service. This means that a Share Fisherman is not an employee, and is:
  • a sea-going fisherman
  • employed in the fishing industry as a master or crew member of a British fishing boat manned by more than one person and
  • paid in whole, or part, by a share of the profit or gross earnings of the boat

    • OR

  • a sea-going fisherman
  • is an on-shore fisherman who has been ordinarily employed as a sea-going fishermen but because of age or infirmity
  • has permanently ceased to be so employed and
  • has become ordinarily engaged in employment ashore in making or mending any gear of a British fishing boat or
  • performing other services in connection with the boat and
  • is paid for these services by a share of the profits or earnings of the boat.
A person who fishes alone is not a share fisherman.

A share fisherman cannot claim Unfair Dismissal and does not have the rights conferred on employees under the Employment Rights Act 1996.

Merchant Navy Seafarers
UK Employment Law as applies to UK resident Merchant Navy Seafarers is a complex area, please contact your Trade Union in the first instance before contacting SAIL with details of your enquiry.
 
Citizens Advice - http://www.adviceguide.org.uk