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The crew of a foreign fishing vessel at the centre of abuse and intimidation claims won't be deported any time soon, Associate Immigration Minister Kate Wilkinson says.
Thirty-two Indonesian crew members walked off the Korean-registered fishing ship Oyang 75 last month complaining of beatings, sexual harassment and inadequate pay.
It is alleged if they are forced to go home they will face $5000 in fines and receive no pay.
But Wilkinson says she has been advised no final decisions have been made and no deportation order has been ordered for the crew.
The crew members are currently helping out at a Christchurch foodbank.
They have also been helping a team of Auckland academics investigate shipboard conditions for 2000 others working in New Zealand.
One researcher, Dr Christina Stringer of Auckland University Business School, found conditions shocking.
She said she found evidence of extensive and ongoing physical and sexual abuse.
"On one vessel the whole crew was lined up and hit with shovels. It's widespread amongst the Indonesians, the Filipinos and even the Chinese crews."
Owners of the Oyang 75 also say they have paid the seamen their full legal wage, and will co-operate with a Labour Department investigation and a forthcoming ministerial inquiry.
Fisheries Minister Phil Heatley says an inquiry has the support of Cabinet.
- With Newstalk ZB
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