Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit excluded for Fishermen

NUTFA are calling on all fishermen and fishing families to provide information on any injuries sustained through time at sea, whether a cumulative injury from years at sea, or a one off accident fishing or quayside through maintenance. 

The Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit scheme extends to many industrial occupations, but not fishermen or those carrying out maintenance to fishing vessels when not fishing, due to the unique self employed "share fisherman" tax status given to those that work within the industry.  

If you have any information, please email confidentially to Sarah on sarah@nutfa.co.uk in order that we can collate the number of fishermen that might be affected and excluded from the scheme. 

Fishing is the most hazardous occupation in peace time, and there needs to be policy change in respect of this Benefit, to be seen as a right for fishermen alongside boatyard workers and other occupations, who are included when carrying out maintenance work on fishing vessels.   

Please give up a few minutes of your time to send details if you or anyone from your family have been touched by injury through fishing, whether currently or in the past.  

Thank you. 

Sarah