By Salina Patel

A CRISIS meeting between union bosses representing Cobalt's ground handlers' and KLM management has averted the threat of a ballot for strike action in a dispute over staff flight concessions.

Unite's warning of a ballot, and the launch of the 'same team, same rights' campaign on Wednesday brought Cobalt and KLM's top brass' to the negotiating table yesterday.

Cobalt, a subsidiary of the Air France-KLM Group, has over 800 workers at Terminal 4 providing ramp, baggage and other ground services, of which old employees receive a mix of flight concessions while new workers get nothing.

The unfair treatment sparked a campaign backed by the International Transport Workers' Federation-affiliated (ITF) unions, in a fight to achieve minimum standards for flight concessions for all workers in Skyteam airlines and their subsidiaries.

Gabriel Mocho, ITF civil aviation secretary, said: "This campaign has grown out of our determination that the multinational, joint nature of the airline alliances must be reflected by equally coordinated representation of the rights of the workers in them.

"Recent events at ground handler Cobalt, which operates out of Heathrow Terminal 4, have thrown this into stark relief.

"Unite has told us, new workers get no flight concessions, while for others there's a whole mix of conditions, depending on which airline they came from.

"Recently, management at the company HQ in the Netherlands took some and put them on inferior terms, then decided that in fact everyone who had flight concessions would now get less of them.

"Unite has now persuaded the company to suspend those decisions while urgent talks are held."

The campaign focuses on the situation within Skyteam, and unions across the world handed out flyers to their members as the talks with Cobalt continued into Thursday afternoon.

Rhys McCarthy, Unite regional officer, said: "The global airline alliances such as Skyteam are presenting challenges for workers with economies of scale , outsourcing and the setting up of subsidiaries which all to often lead to the driving down of conditions and a race to the bottom.

"The ITF and its affiliated unions which Unite is proudly a major supporter have taken this initiative to coordinate within the Skyteam alliance and enable workers globally through their unions to organise, show solidarity and apply pressure on the Skyteam group."

A Cobalt spokesman said: "The company is in meaningful discussions with the union about the subject of staff travel concessions."

FROM CEP RESEARCH (GERMANY):

***DHL disputes union claims to the UN over alleged disregard of workers' rights

UNI, DP DHL, CEP-Research

8 July 2011

Two international unions have made a complaint to the United Nations claiming that Deutsche Post DHL is disregarding workers’ rights in some countries and failing to live up to its pledges on responsible business conduct.

UNI Post & Logistics, a global union for the postal and logistics industry, along with the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), claimed that DP DHL had disregarded several of the principles of the ‘UN Global Compact for responsible business conduct’, which the company signed up to in 2006, and urged the UN to remove DHL from the list of signatory companies.

The organisations claimed that in Colombia, for example, DHL uses lie-detector tests, which the unions describe as a “disgraceful practice” and “an offence against human dignity and the UN Global Compact”. When confronted with this behaviour at its AGM last month, the unions claim that Deutsche Post DHL CEO, Frank Appel, was unapologetic and said that DHL would continue to use polygraph tests in “exceptional cases”.

The two unions also claim that DHL employees in the US have “reported discrimination, insults and a lack of standards, which often leads to injuries”.

UNI general secretary Philip Jennings said: “DHL has been caught short on compliance with the UN principles of fairness in business and work. There is no excuse any more - it’s time for them to step up and meet their global commitments if they want to be taken seriously as a ‘responsible business’.”

Ingo Marowsky, ITF organising globally coordinator, added: “Once again we press the company to ensure that all its 470,000 workers receive decent treatment, and that the reported abuses in some of its operating countries are eliminated immediately.”

UNI and the ITF called on DHL to take the following measures: The signing of a global framework agreement that will guarantee that all 470,000 DHL employees worldwide enjoy fundamental rights at work, including the right to organise a union, in order to achieve dignity in the workplace; trade union representation; the promotion of women to leadership positions; and consistent observance of human and labour rights.

In response, DP DHL told CEP-Research that it was “in a constructive dialogue with UNI and ITF on a global level, which will continue”, and insisted that the company respected the rights of its employees and, in particular, the right to freedom of association.

“Deutsche Post DHL is guided by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the conventions issued by the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the United Nations Global Compact, to which Deutsche Post DHL has been a signatory since 2006,” a spokesman said.

“Also in 2006, Deutsche Post DHL implemented a Code of Conduct that acknowledges our support for the UN Global Compact, and through which we commit to operating based on the principles of integrity, responsibility, ethical acceptability and legality. The Code applies to every employee in our group and its subsidiaries around the world. We expect and require from our managers that they actively support our Code of Conduct.”

In its current Communication On Progress (COP), he said the group confirmed that it respected the Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work of the International Labour Organization (ILO), in accordance with national laws and customs.

“For these reasons, we see no necessity for an international framework agreement for Deutsche Post DHL,” he added. “We do not tolerate violations against these principles. If we get knowledge of a violation we investigate every single case. In an organization with more than 470,000 employees, you cannot generally eliminate individual erratic behavior.”

0807116

FROM THE TIMES OF INDIA:

***Ashore at last: Ordeal ends for 6 sailors of stranded ship

TNN Jul 10, 2011, 06.54am IST

CHENNAI: Six of the 14 sailors on board the vessel OSM Arena were brought to the city shores on Saturday with a special visa approved by the immigration department . The sailors' including captain Kim Goeng Tai and three Burmese who boarded the vessel 20 months ago' will stay at the Seafarers Club near Chennai port for five days .

According to K Sreekumar' inspector of International Transport Workers Federation' the three Burmese sailors are physically weak and they will be given medical assistance and nutritious food. A team led by ITF and R Shanmugam of Seafarers Port Welfare Committee brought the sailors to the port from the vessel on Saturday evening .

A second team of sailors on board the vessel will reach the shore in another five days . Officials said a minimum number of crew is necessary to maintain the vessel which is anchored two nautical miles off the coast .

***Sailors of stranded ship to come ashore after 16 months

Arun Janardhanan, TNN Jul 9, 2011, 05.12am IST

CHENNAI: The 14 sailors on board OSM Arena, the Korean vessel stranded off the Chennai coast for nearly 16 months, will finally see land. The immigration department on Friday issued a 15-day visa to each of them to come ashore for treatment.

They will be brought ashore on a rotation basis as a minimum number of crew is needed on board. The development followed a request on Thursday from the Seafarers Port Welfare Association and the Mercantile Marine Department (MMD) of the Directorate-General of Shipping.

Last week, a delegation of the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) led by K Sreekumar found the sailors, without food and water for nearly two weeks, in a dehydrated state. "Provisions were delivered to the sailors on Thursday with the help of the MMD and the Seafarers Club," said Seafarers Port Welfare Committee chairman R Shanmugam.

FROM REBANADAS DE REALIDAD (ARGENTINA):

FROM TRADEWINDS:

***Latest probe casts doubt over death

Safmarine says findings from its internal probe ‘contradict’ initial reports that a female cadet had complained of sexual abuse while serving on a UK-flag containership.

Unions are continuing to lobby for a full investigation into the death of South African cadet Akhona Geveza amid allegations of rape on the 6,696-teu containership Safmarine Kariba (built 2008), despite a statement from the owner apparently drawing a line under the incident.

The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) says its legal department has offered to assist the family in bringing a private legal case in Croatia, where her body was found.

UK officers’ union Nautilus says it remains in contact with secretary of state for transport Mike Penning over a possible UK investigation and is using the incident to highlight cases of harassment against women seafarers.

However, one year after her death, Safmarine has released the findings from its internal probe into the incident.

Commenting on the findings, Safmarine chief executive Tomas Dyrbye said the probe contradicts initial reports that just prior to her death Geveza had complained to the ship master of sexual abuse by a chief officer.

“Akhona had, in response to a direct question from the master, denied that she had been subjected to any form of sexual abuse,” said Dyrbye.

In a timeline of the incident, Safmarine suggests that rather than report rape, Geveza had told the master she had “personal problems” in her relationship with the chief officer and had “suicidal considerations”. After a meeting between Geveza and the chief officer with the chief engineer as witness, it was agreed Geveza would be signed off the ship at Trieste two days later.

Jan de Vrij of Safmarine Legal says the company concurred with the findings of the preliminary Croatian police investigation that Geveza had committed suicide near Rijeka, where her body was found, having jumped overboard the boxship.

He said: “Calls have subsequently been made for the investigations to be reopened and Safmarine has, and will continue to, reconfirm its willingness to co-operate in any future investigations, even though we have neither reason nor right to distrust the conclusion reached by the Croatian investigation.”

But unions are continuing to lobby for an investigation. Nautilus says it is “unsatisfactory” that the UK government had yet to open its own probe into the death on board a UK-flag ship having entrusted the probe to the Croatian police.

Spokesperson Andrew Linington said: “We see the issue of jurisdiction come up often as an excuse not to do anything or even as part of the process of criminalising seafarers.”

The ITF says it is waiting on the authorisation of Geveza’s family to send a mission to Croatia to urge further investigation.

“Since Akhona’s death the ITF affiliates in Croatia, ITF maritime operations and Nautilus International have worked to keep the pressure on the Croatian authorities — in particular Nautilus has appealed to the UK government to ensure that the Foreign Office [through the flag state administration] take an active leadership role in the investigation,” the union said in a statement to TradeWinds.

The ITF says it is still pursuing the probe having seen “several documents written by the investigators to the Croatian State Attorney regarding the investigation”.

Safmarine says it has upgraded its cadet programme run by Transnet following the Geveza incident to make sure the company is doing “everything we could to ensure the safety and well being of those serving on our vessels”.

Now all cadets have 24-hour access to the Internet and personal e-mail. They are also given life skills training by an industrial psychologist on how to cope with conflict and harassment and have access to an independent third-party employee assistance programme.

Cadets will only sail on the Europe-to-South Africa route.

In a separate development, a recently published survey from Nautilus found that 41% of its female members had reported some form of sexual harassment while at work.

***Marooned off Malaysia

Twenty crew have been stranded on a cargoship off Malaysia without supplies or wages for more than a month in another case involving Gia Hai Shipping of Vietnam.

The men are stuck on the 4,400–dwt Sea Home Shine (built 2008) off Kota Kinabalu after arriving in May.

They claim they are owed six months’ pay.

Captain Tin Maung Maung told reporters the crew had been facing a food shortage.

“We have to fish for food and use our savings to survive,” he added.

The seafarers – aged between 19 and 58 - comprise 13 Vietnamese, four Myanmarese, two Nepalese and an Indian.

The master said: “The last time the owners contacted us was when we discharged the cargo of maize at the port in May.

“After that, there has been no word from them. Even the local shipping agent, Chong Fui Shipping, has not been able to contact them.”

A Chong Fui spokesperson said the crew had been paid $3,000 for food for the past three months.

She said the company had stopped the payment after it was unable to contact the owner and the India-based firm that had chartered the vessel.

“We are waiting for the owner to reimburse us the money that we advanced to the crew,” she said.

The vessel is owned by Agribank Leasing Co II of Vietnam.

TradeWinds reported in June that the IFT had become involved in a dispute with another Gai Hai ship, the 4,375-dwt general cargo/multipurpose (MPP) vessel Bien Nam (built 2008), also owned by Agribank.

ITF flag-of-convenience (FOC) campaign advisor John Wood says that when he started investigating the ship, he discovered that it had been variously described in casualty reports as being either a “total loss” or as missing on 12 May 2011 on a voyage from Tuticorn, India, to Padang, Indonesia, with 12 crew on board.

Neither was correct.

“The crew have absolutely no knowledge of any incident and there is no report in the ship’s log book,” he added.

Asked to explain what was happening, Vu Quang, director at manager Gia Hai Shipping Corp in Vietnam, told TradeWinds in an e-mail that Padang port authority had been asked, both by the company and local agent, at the time to provide assistance. It was triggered by what he described as “missing communication” during bad weather.

The company insisted the charterer was responsible for crew wages.

The ITF has also previously been involved in a crew-claim case involving Gia Hai’s 5,100-dwt Sea Home Sapphire (built 2009).

FROM THE SINGAPORE BUSINESS TIMES:

Qantas to make cuts on its int'l network

The new strategy will be announced on Aug24

(SYDNEY) Australia's Qantas Airways will make cuts to its loss-making international operations under a new business strategy to be announced next month, chief executive Alan Joyce said in an interview.

The new strategy, to be announced on Aug 24, would include 'an honest and fairly aggressive view on the performance of the international network and making cuts where we need to make them', Mr Joyce told the Australian Broadcasting Corp (ABC).

Mr Joyce also said he believed the Australian division of competitor Tiger Airways would operate again in Australia's domestic market despite its current grounding by safety regulators.

In an interview broadcast yesterday, Mr Joyce said the current loss-making model of Qantas' international business was not sustainable over the long term. It has been supported, he said, by profitable domestic operations and the creation of the low-cost Qantas subsidiary, Jetstar.

The new business strategy, he said, would focus on 'four pillars' of investment, partnerships, restructuring of the international network and exploiting the rapidly growing Asian air market.

Efforts to turn the international business around had been hampered by 'some very outrageous demands' from unions, Mr Joyce said. He also said Qantas did not intend to abandon its international operations, just make them profitable.

'The issue has been there for some time,' Mr Joyce told the ABC programme Inside Business. 'The international business has not been performing at the levels it needs to and over the years we've compensated by having a very strong domestic business, having a very strong frequent flying business, by the creation of Jetstar we've created a new business, and all of these businesses have helped subsidise the international operations.

'However, we don't believe that situation is sustainable going forward and we need to make significant changes to our international services as a consequence to the under-performance of the business today.'

The Qantas chief said the grounding of Tiger Airways' Australian division had not had a significant impact on either Qantas or Jetstar. Tiger Airways only represented 5 per cent of the Australian domestic market and Mr Joyce denied either Qantas or Jetstar had increased prices in response.

However, Mr Joyce said that he believed the grounding was a significant blow to the Tiger Airways brand. Key stakeholder Singapore Airlines could not afford to take it out of the Australian domestic market altogether and would seek a way to get Tiger Airways operating there again, he said.

'I can't see an alternative for Tiger redeploying a lot of the aircraft into Asia at this stage and I think there's a big issue in Tiger's business model being successful if it only has Singapore as a base. They need to show that it can work in multiple areas,' Mr Joyce said.

'I think their success in Australia has been non-existent to date and I think they need to get the business back into operation here and for them to be perceived as a pan-Asian brand.'

Tiger Airways Australia Pty Ltd was grounded by Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority on July 2, which cited concerns about safety. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Singapore-based Tiger Airways Holdings Ltd, which is about one-third owned by Singapore Airlines. -- Reuters

FROM THE BBC:

Russia Volga boat tragedy: Medvedev orders review

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has demanded checks on all transport services after an overloaded boat sank on the Volga River, leaving 110 people missing and feared dead.

Mr Medvedev said the old, double-decker tourist boat was in a poor condition.

Around 80 people were rescued on the River Volga in Tatarstan, about 750km (450 miles) east of Moscow.

Officials say the boat's capacity was 120 passengers and crew, but it had been carrying 208 people on Sunday.

At least 50 children are feared to be among the dead. A survivor said children had gathered in a play area on deck just before the boat went down.

At a government meeting on Monday Mr Medvedev called for "a complete check on all means of passenger transport". Russia had too many "old rust tubs", he complained.

He declared Tuesday a day of mourning across Russia for the Volga River victims.

Officials say there is little hope of finding any more survivors.

So far 41 bodies have been recovered. Divers saw many more bodies inside the sunken vessel.

Boat sank suddenly

The double-decker Bulgaria was caught in a storm on Sunday while sailing from Bolgary to the regional capital, Kazan.

It sank within minutes at one of the widest points of the river, at about 1400 (1000 GMT).

The bad weather, mechanical failure on the 55-year-old vessel and overcrowding have all been cited as possible reasons why the boat sank.

Nearly 50 Russian divers were scouring the murky river on Monday.

Igor Panshin, head of the Emergencies Ministry's Volga Regional Centre, was shown commenting on NTV: "[The divers] were tapping on the hull in hope of getting possible replies. Unfortunately, none came.

"They have now shone light into the holds and the restaurants, and they see that there are [dead bodies of] people inside."

Negligence claim

The Russian authorities have launched a criminal investigation, amid suspicions that negligence contributed to the tragedy.

Emergencies Minister Sergei Shoigu said the boat was overcrowded, carrying 208 people, of whom 25 had not been registered as passengers.

Russian media also report that one of the boat's two engines was not working.

Investigators quoted by Itar-Tass news agency said that even before the boat had set sail on Sunday one of its two engines had malfunctioned and the vessel had been listing.

The 80m (260ft) boat sank several kilometres from the shore near the village of Sukeyevo, about 80km south of Kazan.

The Volga, Europe's largest river, is popular with cruise boats at this time of the year.

OTHER LANGUAGES

FROM Все новости Николаева на одном сайте (UKRAINE):

***В «заложниках» на круизном лайнере у берегов Израиля находятся 70 украинцев – среди них 36 одесситов и николаевский стриптизер

360 человек экипажа и обслуживающего персонала круизного судна Rio (флаг - Мальта), который уже продолжительное время стоит в порту Ашдод (Израиль), оказались невольными заложниками. Об этом корреспондентам «Преступности.НЕТ», при помощи интернет связи, сообщили сами моряки и обслуживающий персонал лайнера.

Судно, якобы, находится под арестом с 19 июня из-за того, что у собственника лайнера огромная задолженность по услугам фрахтовки, лоцманским услугам и др.

Также, по словам экипажа круизного лайнера, идет речь и о непонятной ситуации с собственником парохода. Якобы, дело в том, что бывший владелец продал судно, а компания, которая его купила - Louis Cruise Lines, еще не выплатила всю оговоренную сумму и теперь лайнер с 19 июня простаивает в израильском порту и не берет на борт людей, хотя «есть круизы, есть люди, которые купили билеты».

Круизный лайнер "Rio Cruises"

Каюты лайнера "Rio Cruises"

А вот что написано в рекламных материалах об отдыхе на корабле Rio: круиз по Средиземному морю на борту роскошного круизного лайнера Rio с зажигательной программой - вас ждут незабываемые 5 дней и 4 ночи. В круизе на корабле Rio Вы вдоволь насладитесь морскими пейзажами, туристическими достопримечательностями, кулинарными изысками и различными увеселительными программами для всей семьи. Для вашего отдыха и комфорта на корабле Rio работают: Казино. DUTY FREE. Кинотеатр. Дискоклуб. Бары. Ресторан. Бассейн. SPA. Палубы для загара. Тренажёрный зал.

Простой судна команде объясняют тем, что у владельца есть задолженность перед портовыми властями Ашдода и на пароход наложен арест. В команде, которая работала на пароходе, - представители 12 стран, в том числе 70 украинцев, в частности, 36 одесситов и 7 человек из Николаева. Все они наняты разными фирмами. Однако никто из них пока не получил заработную плату. Оценивая положение парохода, украинцы предполагают, что их попросту хотят «кинуть», поэтому они не намерены покидать палубу и устроили своеобразную забастовку

Среди семерых николаевцев, которые стали заложниками ситуации, находится и николаевский стриптизер Игорь «Цезарь». Как он поясняет, 360 человек, которые наняты на судно могут остаться без зарплаты, которую им задолжали за 2 месяца пребывания на лайнере.

Николаевский стриптизер Игорь «Цезарь» (фото NikLife)

«Все, кто находится сейчас на судне, не намерены сдаваться и будут бороться за свои права, хотя ситуация у нас, уже сегодня, критическая – мы голодали и спали на палубе, провизии у нас осталось на 4 дня, горючего – на 7. Помощи нам ждать не от кого. Владельцы судна не хотят огласки, поэтому оказывают на нас давление, запугивают», - рассказал Игорь.

По словам члены экипажа, они уже обращались в ITF (Международный профсоюз моряков), однако уверены, что представитель ITF, который приходил к ним на палубу, скорее всего, подставной. Общались и к представителям Посольства Украины в Израиле, где украинцам предложили организовать поездку домой, но отстаивать их права отказались. Одесситы, в свою очередь, пытались связаться с одесской радиостанцией "Просто радио", но сделать это им не удалось.

- Если мы сойдем с судна и вернемся в Украину, то мы никогда не увидим заработанных денег, - говорит один из матросов теплохода.

Помимо этого, «заложники» утверждают, что располагают какими-то провокационными фотографиями и видеоматериалами.

В Министерстве иностранных дел не отрицают, что, возможно, эта ситуация находится у них на контроле, однако из-за выходных не смогли прокомментировать ее, посоветовав позвонить в Посольство Украины в Израиле.

TRANSLATION:

The "hostage" on a cruise ship off the coast of Israel are 70 Ukrainians - among them 36 from Odessa and Nikolayev stripper

19:36 / 09.07.2011 Read [3925]
Commented: [38]

360 crew and staff of cruise ship Rio (flag - Malta), which is already a long time standing in the port of Ashdod (Israel), were unwitting hostages. Told a "Prestupnosti.NET" with Internet connection, reported themselves sailors and service personnel liner.

 

The vessel, ostensibly, is under arrest since June 19 due to the fact that the owner of a huge debt of liner services freightage, pilot services, etc.

 

Also, according to the crew of a cruise ship, and the question of confusing the situation with the owner of the ship. Ostensibly, the point is that the former owner sold the ship and the company that bought it - Louis Cruise Lines, has not paid the entire agreed amount, and now ship from 19 June to the Israeli port is idle and does not take on board people, although "there are cruises There are people who bought tickets. "

Cruise "Rio Cruises"

 

Cabin liner "Rio Cruises"

But it says in promotional materials about the rest on the ship Rio: cruise in the Mediterranean aboard a luxury cruise liner Rio incendiary program - you unforgettable 5 days and 4 nights. In the cruise ship you enjoy plenty of Rio seascapes, tourist attractions, culinary delights and a variety of entertainment programs for the whole family. For your pleasure and comfort on the ship Rio works: Casino. DUTY FREE. Cinema. Disco. Bars. Restaurant. Pool. SPA. Deck for sunbathing. Gym.

 

Demurrage team explain the fact that the owner has debts to Ashdod port authorities and the ship seized. The team that worked on the boat - from 12 countries, including 70 Ukrainians, in particular, 36 of Odessa and Nikolayev of 7 people. All of them are employed by different firms. However, none of them has not yet been paid. Assessing the situation steamer, Ukrainians believe that they simply want to "throw", so they do not intend to leave the deck and made a sort of strike

 

Among the seven Mykolayiv, which have become hostages of the situation, and Nicholas is a stripper Igor "Caesar." As he says, 360 people are employed on a vessel may be left without a paycheck that they are owed for the two-month stay on the liner.

Igor Nikolaev stripper "Caesar" (photo NikLife)

"Everyone who is now on board, do not intend to give up and fight for their rights, although the situation we have, today, a critical - we were hungry and slept on deck, we've got provisions for 4 days of fuel - 7. Help us not to wait on anyone. The owners of the vessel does not want any publicity, so put pressure on us, intimidate, "- said Igor.

 

According to crew members, they have already contacted the ITF (International Seamen's Union), however, believe that the representative of the ITF, which came to them on the deck, most likely a fake. Communicated to the representatives of the Ukrainian Embassy in Israel, where Ukrainians offered to organize a trip home, but refused to defend their rights. Odessans, in turn, tried to contact the radio station in Odessa, "Just the radio," but to do so failed.

 

- When we got off the ship and return to Ukraine, then we would never see the money earned, - said one of the crew boat.

 

In addition, the "hostage" claim that they have some kind of provocative pictures and video.

 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not deny that perhaps this situation is in their control, but because of the weekend could not comment on it, advising him to contact the Embassy of Ukraine in Israel.

FROM LIBERO NEWS (ITALY):

si conclude odissea nave Faola, bloccata in porto dal 28 maggio scorso (3)

Cronaca

(

(Adnkronos) - La solidarieta' e' giunta anche dai privati come ''la societa' Cellino - spiega Ugga - che da subito ha fornito farina e pasta alimentare, la Ivi Petrolifera che ha provveduto all'approvvigionamento di gasolio, gli enti pubblici quali la Provincia di Oristano ed il Comune di Santa Giusta congiuntamente alla Parrocchia di Santa Giusta per l'approvvigionamento di viveri, la Dogana di Oristano, la Lega Cooperativa e la societa' Moby Spa divisione rimorchiatori sardi.

Inestimabile e' stato l'ausilio dei vigili del fuoco per la preziosissima assistenza di approvvigionamento idrico e la professionale super visione per il rifornimento di gasolio''.Una vicenda difficile per la Capitaneria di Oristano che si e' trovata impegnata sul fronte umano e tecnico.

Il primo appunto ''risolto grazie all'intervento di privati e Caritas'', e il secondo, quello tecnico, ''che ha richiesto l'impegno assiduo della Polizia di Frontiera, a garanzia della particolare situazione di malcontento creatosi a bordo, del certosino lavoro svolto dall'Itf, il Sindacato Internazionale dei Marittimi, e impegno impagabile - spiega il comandante - dell'agenzia Acciaro & Parodi e Pau Shipping, che con pazienza infinita hanno rintracciato un armatore che si era dato per disperso, adoperandosi al meglio per tutelare dal punto di vista economico l'equipaggio, che non riceveva da un anno'' la paga, ottenendo ''con un grande lavoro di mediazione le dovute garanzie da parte della societa' armatrice, creando i presupposti per dissequestrare la nave, ottenere la stipula di nuovi contratti a favore dell'equipaggio e garantire il pagamento degli stipendi una volta giunti nel porto del Pireo''. (segue)

TRANSLATION:

Odyssey ends Faola ship, stuck in port since May 28 last year (



(Adnkronos) - The solidarity 'and' also come from individuals as''the company 'Cellino - explains Ugga - who immediately supplied flour and pasta, the oil industry, which has provided Ibid supply of diesel, the public sector as the Province of Oristano and the City of St. Just in conjunction with the Parish of St. Just for the supply of food, the customs of Oristano, the Cooperative League, and the company 'Moby SpA Tugs Division Sardinians.

Priceless, 'was the use of firefighters for the invaluable assistance of water supply is a professional super-vision for the supply of diesel.''Another difficult one for the Master of Oristano and that' found committed to human and technical .

The first fact resolved by the intervention of''private''and Caritas, and the second, technical,''which required the diligent efforts of the Border Police, to ensure the particular situation of discontent created when the edge of painstaking work done by the ITF, the International Union of Seafarers and invaluable efforts - said the commander - the agency Acciaro Shipping & Parodi and Pau, who with infinite patience have tracked down an owner who was reported missing, and will work well for protecting the economic point of view the crew, who did not receive a year's pay'',''getting a great job of mediating the necessary guarantees from the company 'shipping, laying the foundation for sequestrated the ship, get the entering into new contracts for the crew and ensure payment of wages upon arrival in the port of Piraeus.'' (Continued)

FROM NIEUWSBLAD (BELGIUM):

***Maltees schip ligt vast in Kluizendok - 09/07/2011

GENT - Het schip Eleousa Trikoukiotisa ligt al een maand vast in het Kluizendok met motorpech. Bovendien heeft de vijftienkoppige bemanning al 2,5 maanden geen cent loon gezien. De Cypriotische rederij belooft volgende week beterschap.

De tanker Eleousa Trikoukiotisa, die onder Maltese vlag vaart, had net gelost bij gistbedrijf Algist Bruggeman toen het motorpech kreeg. Sindsdien ligt het schip vast in het Kluizendok. De bemanning wacht op wisselstukken om de motor te repareren, maar de Cypriotische rederij Admibros Shipmanagement wil die niet betalen.

Ook de lonen van de bemanning werden al lang niet meer uitbetaald. ‘Normaal gezien zou ik vorige maand naar huis gaan, net als twee collega's', vertelt de Filippijnse zeeman Cardinal Ando. ‘Maar we kunnen niet vertrekken voor we onze achterstallige lonen hebben gekregen. Nu worden we nog gesteund door het ITF, de internationale vakbond voor zeelui, maar als we weggaan, staan we nergens.'

Heimwee

Voor de mannen, die al maanden van huis weg zijn, is dat een zware dobber. ‘Ik heb mijn vrouw en zoontje van 3jaar al acht maanden niet gezien. Ik was aan het aftellen toen de problemen begonnen. Dat we hier nu langer moeten blijven, is hard. Gelukkig mogen we in het zeemanshuis Stella Maris gratis het internet gebruiken en we hebben ook telefoonkaarten gekregen. Zo kunnen we toch contact houden met onze familie.'

Ook Andriy Panfilov hoopt dat hij binnenkort naar huis kan. ‘Ik heb mijn vrouw beloofd dat we aan kindjes gaan beginnen. Aangezien ik een hele voetbalploeg wil, moeten we er spoed achter steken', lacht de jonge Oekraïner. ‘Ik hoop dat ik thuis ben op mijn verjaardag, de 26ste juli. Dat zou het mooiste cadeau zijn. Voor mijzelf, maar ook voor mijn familie.'

De kans dat Andriy zijn droom uitkomt, is reëel. Het ITF, dat onderhandelt met de rederij, kreeg gisterennamiddag nog het bericht dat die bereid zou zijn om maandag 85.000 euro over te maken. ‘Daarmee zullen dan de achterstallige lonen betaald worden van de vijf mensen die volgende week naar huis willen vertrekken. De andere tien bemanningsleden krijgen dan alvast hun loon voor de maand mei', zegt Christian Roos van het ITF.

Als de rederij zich niet aan die belofte houdt, zal het ITF andere manieren zoeken om de druk op te drijven. En in het slechtste geval – als de rederij failliet gaat – wordt het schip aan de ketting gelegd. Dan start een maandenlange procedure voor de rechtbank, waarna het schip verkocht wordt en de schuldeisers en bemanningsleden hun geld krijgen.

Marieke Van Pee

TRANSLATION:

Maltese ship is stuck in Kluizendok - 09/07/2011
GENT - The ship is already one month Eleousa Trikoukiotisa stuck in the Kluizendok with engine trouble. Moreover, the fifteen-man crew has seen 2.5 months pay a cent. The Cypriot company promises next week recovery.

Eleousa Trikoukiotisa the tanker, which sails under the Maltese flag, was just released in yeast company Algist Bruggeman when the engine broke down. Since then the ship is stuck in the Kluizendok. The crew is waiting for parts to repair the engine, but the Cypriot company Admibros Shipmanagement will not pay.

The wages of the crew were no longer paid. "Normally I would go home last month, as two colleagues," said the Filipino seamen Cardinal Ando. "But we can not leave until we have received back wages. Now we are supported by the ITF, the international union for sailors, but when we leave, we're nowhere. "

Nostalgia

For the men, many months away from home, that's a tough one. "I have my wife and son of 3 years have not seen eight months. I was counting down when the problems started. That we now have to stay longer, it is hard. Fortunately we in the seamen's Stella Maris for free using the internet and we have been calling. So we can still keep in touch with our family. "

Andriy Panfilov also hopes he can return home soon. "I promised my wife that we kids get started. Since I want a whole football team, we must urgently back stabbing, "laughs the young Ukrainian. "I hope I'm home on my birthday, the 26th July. That would be the best gift. For myself and for my family. "

The chance that Andriy his dream come true, is real. The ITF, which negotiates with the company, yesterday afternoon received the message yet that it would be willing to 85,000 euro to Monday. "This will be paid the wage arrears of the five people who want to leave home next week. The other ten crew members will then forward their wages for the month of May, "said Christian Rose of the ITF.

If the company does not keep that promise, the ITF will seek other ways to increase the pressure to drive. And at worst - if the company goes bankrupt - the ship chained. Starts one month long procedure before the court, after which the ship is sold and the creditors get their money and crew.

Marieke Van Pee

FROM Социальное действие:

***Настроены решительно

03:09 Шестнадцать филиппинских моряков и один румын с теплохода «Porto Maina» (флаг Либерии) намерены начать забастовку в порту Посьет. Повод для этого есть: трехмесячная задолженность по заработной плате в размере $170 тысяч. Экипаж уже заручился поддержкой МФТ во Владивостоке.

Как нам рассказал руководитель Дальневосточной инспекции труда Российского профсоюза мояков и инспектор МФТ во Владивостоке Петр Осичанский, судно «Porto Maina» сейчас стоит на рейде в ожидании постановки к причалу.

«Экипаж обратился в инспекцию МФТ с просьбой оказать помощь в получении заработанных денег, – рассказал П. Осичанский. – Общая сумма задолженности составляет порядка $170 тысяч. Судовладелец – греческая компания – перевел морякам лишь $66 тысяч, но команда не готова довольствоваться этим и требует выплаты денег в полном объеме».

С постановкой судна к причалу экипаж пойдет на крайние меры и начнет забастовку: моряки не разрешат вести погрузо-разгручные операции, а это огромные убытки для работодателя.

Добавим, что переговоры между дальневосточным инспекторатом ITF и судовладельцем уже начались, также к решению проблемы подключился фрахтователь – корейская компания.

Sur.ru

TRANSLATION:

Are determined
3:09
Sixteen Filipino seafarers and ship with a Romanian «Porto Maina» (flag of Liberia) intend to strike at the Port Posiet. Reason for this is: the three-month wage arrears of $ 170 thousand. The crew had already secured the support of the ITF in Vladivostok.

As we told the head of the Far Eastern Russian Trade Union of Labour Inspection and the inspector moyakov ITF Vladivostok Peter Osichansky, ship «Porto Maina» is now at anchor waiting for berthing.

"The crew asked to inspect the ITF's assistance in obtaining the money earned, - told the AP Osichansky. - The total debt is approximately $ 170 thousand. Shipowner - Greek company - moved the sailors to only $ 66,000, but the team is not ready to settle for this and requires payment of money in full. "

C of berthing crew will go to extreme measures and begin to strike: the sailors are not allowed to carry cargo razgruchnye operations, and this is a huge loss for the employer.

We add that the talks between Far and shipowner ITF Inspectorate has already begun, as to the problem connected freighter - the Korean company.

FROM IL RESTO DEL CARLINO (ITALY):

***GRAVI DISAGI; Le peripezie di quei 15 turchi e 3 georgiani

8 July 2011

L'EQUIPAGGIO della Berkan B' era formato inizialmente da 15 turchi e 3 georgiani. Dopo le proteste per il mancato pagamento di mensilità e per gli scarsi rifornimenti alimentari, gli interventi del Consolato turco, del Comitato welfare gente di mare (presieduto da Carlo Cordone), della Stella Maris di padre Pietro Gandolfo e dell'Itf, organizzazione internazionale che tutela i marittimi, avevano riportato un po' di tranquillità. Passata una settimana, 12 marittimi turchi erano scesi dalla nave e, accompagnati alla Malpensa, erano rientrati in patria. Dopo un'altra settimana era stata la volta dei tre georgiani. Poi se n'erano andati due turchi e a bordo era rimasto solo il custode'.

TRANSLATION:

SERIOUS HARDSHIPS; The ups and downs of those 15 turks and 3 georgian

The crew of the Berkan B' was formed initially from 15 turks and 3 georgian. After the protests against the non-payment of monthly installments and for the meager food supplies, the speeches by the turkish Consulate, the Committee welfare of seafarers (chaired by Carlo Cord), the Stella Maris of father Peter Gandolfo and Itf, international organization for the protection of the sea, had a bit of tranquility. Passed a week, 12 maritime turks had fallen from the ship, and accompanied the Malpensa Airport, had returned home. After another week was the time of the three georgians. Then went two turks and on board had remained only the guardian'.

FROM OUEST FRANCE:

***Neuf déficiences relevées à bord par les inspecteurs

7 July 2011

Protection machine pas conforme, radeau de survie manquant, détection d'incendie pas conforme, trousse de secours ayant dépassant la date de péremption, etc. Et insuffisance de provision de nourriture pour la suite du voyage.

L'inspection, hier matin, à bord du Oliver Stevns, a relevé neuf points déficients. Ce contrôle a été mené à l'initiative du centre de sécurité des navires, un service des Affaires maritimes.

« Ces visites de navires se font dans le cadre du Memorandum de Paris, explique Jean-Luc Veille, directeur départemental des Affaires maritimes. Certains navires sont ciblés. Ceux, par exemple, qui battent un pavillon peu exemplaire, ceux dont l'entretien laisse à désirer, etc. » Le cas du Oliver Stevns s'en rapproche : pavillon Antigua et Barbuda, état général « Pas terrible » selon la représentante du syndicat ITF, marins pas payés. « C'est de l'exploitation, c'est scandaleux », tonne Jean-Luc Veille.

L'armateur danois, THH Shipping ApS, gère six navires, construits dans les années 1984-1986, et spécialisés dans le transport de marchandise en vrac et de colis lourds. Mais chaque bateau a un propriétaire différent. « Si un navire était saisi pour une raison ou une autre, lui seul le serait, explique Jean-Luc Veille. Cela permet aux compagnies qui ont choisi ce mode de gestion de continuer à exploiter leurs autres navires. »

TRANSLATION:

Nine deficiencies detected on board by the inspectors

Protection machine not conform, liferaft survival missing, fire detection not conform, first aid kit with exceeding the expiry date, etc. And lack of provision of food for the rest of the journey.

The inspection, yesterday morning, on board the Oliver stevns, has identified nine points visually. This monitoring was conducted at the initiative of the center for the safety of ships, a service of maritime affairs.

"These visits by vessels are in the framework of the Paris MOU, explains Jean-Luc Eve, departmental director of maritime affairs. Some vessels are targeted. Those, for example, who flew a flag bit copy, those whose maintenance leaves something to be desired, etc. "The case of Oliver stevns is the closest: flag Antigua and Barbuda, general state " Not terrible" according to the representative of the union Itf, sailors not paid. "It is in the exploitation, this is scandalous," tonne Jean-Luc Eve.

The Danish shipowner, THH Shipping ApS, manages six ships, built in the years 1984-1986, and specialised in the transport of goods in bulk and heavy packages. But each boat has a different owner. "If a ship was seized for one reason or another, he alone would be, explains Jean-Luc Eve. This allows the companies who have chosen this method of management to continue to operate their other ships. "

UNION/LABOUR RELATED MEDIA

FROM AUSTRALIA ASIA WORKER LINKS:

A three-year struggle by an ITF-affiliated union in India, backed by an ITF campaign, has secured a victory for trailer truck drivers at a port terminal in India; they all now have a collective bargaining agreement.

The Transport and Dockworkers’ Union (TDWU) won collective bargaining agreements for workers in the Gateway Terminals India (GTI), owned by APMT Terminals. They are employed by two contractors. The agreements come a year after one settled in June 2010 between the TDWU and another GTI contractor and will help protect members, who had previously been violently attacked after opting to join the union.

Mahendra Sharma, ITF Asia Pacific regional secretary, explained: “The drivers’ determination – backed by a well-coordinated international campaign – has forced APMT to impress upon its contractors their responsibility to respect the union and bargain with it for better wages, social security and decent working conditions. It has been a long struggle to get here – over three years of frustration, and at times violence and intimidation. But slowly and steadily TDWU has won the battle.”

He continued: “A benchmark has been set. This is a victory for the principle that, irrespective of who they may be using as a contractor, it is ultimately the real, main employer who is responsible for setting the statutory wages and decent working conditions for those working in the terminal."