***Vessel arrested for failing to pay crew
Interested in this topic?Set up a custom email alert and we’ll tell you everytime we write more like this.
The Panama-flagged, 3,331 dwt general cargo ship Munzur has been detained by the UK’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
ITF takes steps after vessel is detained with multiple faults
A SHIP detained at Fowey for multiple safety and accommodation failings faced arrest after the vessel’s owners failed to pay the crew their wages.
The Panama-flagged, 3,331 dwt general cargo ship Munzur was detained by the UK’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency for multiple failings. The International Transport Workers’ Federation is assisting the crew, who the ITF describes as “desperate to leave the unhygienic and filthy vessel and return home”.
There are 12 crewmembers, from five different nationalities. They report that all except one of them were being paid below the International Labour Organisation minimum, with one earning just $400 per month. At least five have not been paid since joining the vessel in January and February.
The crew is owed over $35,000. Nine crew no longer want to sail on the vessel and have asked the ITF to legally challenge the company on their behalf and secure the owed wages and repatriation costs.
ITF inspector Darren Procter said: “The contracts of employment on board are in breach of many Maritime Labour Convention regulations, and there are allegations that payment was made to secure employment.
“Living conditions are appalling, with the vessel having no hot water at the time of arrest, no washing machines, filthy bed linen, low levels of fresh food, unsafe electrics and a sanitary system which relies on a 45 gallon drum full of sea water.”
The company was given a deadline of 1700 hrs on Tuesday to pay and organise repatriation, after which the ITF would seek its arrest.
The ITF said Wednesday that it had not heard from the owner and that it would proceed with the arrest on behalf of the crew.
According to Lloyd’s List Intelligence data, the vessel’s owner is Hanmar International Transportation & Shipping of Turkey.
***Vessel under threat of arrest for failing to pay crew
- Wednesday 23 April 2014, 09:51
- by James Baker
Interested in this topic?Set up a custom email alert and we’ll tell you everytime we write more like this.
ITF takes steps after vessel is detained with multiple faults
A SHIP detained at Fowey for multiple safety and accommodation failings last night faced arrest after the vessel’s owners failed to pay the crew their wages.
The Panama-flagged, 3,331 dwt general cargo ship Munzur was detained by the UK’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency for multiple failings. The International Transport Workers’ Federation is assisting the crew, who the ITF describes as “desperate to leave the unhygienic and filthy vessel and return home”.
There are 12 crewmembers, from five different nationalities. They report that all except one of them were being paid below the International Labour Organisation minimum, with one earning just $400 per month. At least five have not been paid since joining the vessel in January and February.
The crew is owed over $35,000. Nine crew no longer want to sail on the vessel and have asked the ITF to legally challenge the company on their behalf and secure the owed wages and repatriation costs.
ITF inspector Darren Procter said: “The contracts of employment on board are in breach of many Maritime Labour Convention regulations, and there are allegations that payment was made to secure employment.
“Living conditions are appalling, with the vessel having no hot water at the time of arrest, no washing machines, filthy bed linen, low levels of fresh food, unsafe electrics and a sanitary system which relies on a 45 gallon drum full of sea water.”
The company was given a deadline of 1700 hrs on Tuesday to pay and organise repatriation, after which the ITF would seek its arrest. According to Lloyd’s List Intelligence data, the vessel’s owner is Hanmar International Transportation & Shipping of Turkey.
FROM SEAFARER TIMES:
***Clock ticking on Fowey ship arrest
Submitted by Helmsman on Wed, 04/23/2014 – 07:42
Clock ticking on Fowey ship arrest
22 April 2014 received via email
22 April 2014 received via email
A ship detained at Fowey for multiple safety and accommodation failings will face arrest at 17:00 BST today unless the owners pay the crew the wages they owe them.
The Panamanian-flagged, Turkish-owned vessel Munzur was detained by the UK’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency for multiple failings (see www.dft.gov.uk/mca/mcga07-home/newsandpublications/press-releases.htm?id…). The ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) is assisting the crew, most of whom are desperate to leave the unhygienic and filthy vessel and return home.
There are 12 crewmembers, from five different nationalities. They report that all except one of them were being paid below the ILO minimum, with one earning just USD400 per month. At least five of them haven’t been paid since they joined the vessel in January/February.
The crew is owed over USD35,000. Nine of them no longer want to sail on the vessel and have asked the ITF to legally challenge the company on their behalf and secure the owed wages and repatriation costs.
ITF inspector Darren Procter is helping the crew. He explained: “The contracts of employment onboard are in breach of many Maritime Labour Convention regulations, and there are allegations that payment was made to secure employment.
“Living conditions are appalling, with the vessel having no hot water at the time of arrest, no washing machines, filthy bed linen, low levels of fresh food, unsafe electrics and a sanitary system which relies on a 45 gallon drum full of sea water.”
He concluded: “We have given the company a deadline of 17:00 today to pay the crew and organise repatriation. Failing that this vessel will have to be arrested.”
FROM THE RMTU:
FOR THE URGENT ATTENTION OF ALL RMTU DELEGATES/MEMBERS
WORKERS MEMORIAL DAY 28 APRIL
As you know the RMTU is again asking members to observe International Workers Memorial Day on Monday 28th April by stopping work for one minute at 1200 hours and remembering our dead and injured workmates.
RMTU members in critical operating positions, such as Locomotive Engineers, Bus Drivers, Port Crane Operators etc should ensure that the train/bus/wharf is stopped safely prior to 1200 hours.
The Chief Executive of KiwiRail has been advised of our action but delegates are asked to make sure that all members and other workers in their area are aware of the one minute stoppage. All RMTU members are expected to participate and other workers and managers should be invited to do the same. ALL delegates please ensure that their local management is aware of the intention to stopwork for 1 minute at midday and why?
Posters have been sent to Branches for you to distribute in your work area. Please make sure they are up.
In the case of passenger trains and buses we suggest that an announcement be made to passengers advising them of what is to happen. A suggested form of announcement is as follows:
Today is International Workers Memorial Day and passengers are advised that the train/bus will be stopping to allow staff to observe one minutes silence in honour of our workmates and other workers who have been killed and disabled in work accidents. We regret any inconvenience to passengers. Please join with us in committing to Honour the dead and to Fight for the living.
Delegates are asked to make every effort to ensure that RMTU members all observe the one minute stop work.