***Flag of Convenience Merchant Ships Commit Offences Worldwide
UK – SOUTH EAST ASIA – Since the Maritime Labour Convention came into force in August 2013 seafarers representatives such as the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) have had enhanced ability to ensure that ship owners and operators are treating the crews of freight and other merchant vessels in a civilised manner, particularly those who operate under flags of convenience in a bid to avoid legislation. Recently ITF affiliated unions have been conducting inspections in South East Asian ports but sadly some seafarers are still being treated with contempt by their employers, as a current UK case demonstrates.
The ITF has initiated arrest proceedings on behalf of the crew of the Marshall Islands-flagged M/S Isis, a vessel ironically christened after an Egyptian goddess who cherished the downtrodden and bearing the historical name of the River Thames in which she lies stranded at Tilbury, and whose crew are allegedly owed at least $130,000 in pay. The ship’s crew have been counselled and aided by seafarers’ organisations such as the Apostleship of the Sea and the decision to arrest the vessel follows the delivery of a written warning to an Athens-based company, Derna Carriers over its negligence and evasion of its responsibilities. ITF UK and Ireland coordinator Ken Fleming, explained:
“A visit to the Isis by myself and my colleague Darren Procter revealed that crew members had been unpaid for months. On the 3rd January Derna had sent an email to the ship stating clearly that all money would be paid to the full crew by the 7th January, this did not happen.
“Since then, the company has utterly failed to abide by its responsibilities. A few crew members have received paltry payments since our visit on the 7th January, which I am sure was done to confuse the ITF and make it look like the crew were not telling the truth. The situation remains that most of what is owed dates back to the 1st November, some two months and three weeks, and is clearly not forthcoming, this is totally unacceptable.
“I have been advised from the ship that all crew want to go home. The company’s litany of broken promises has left them feeling that no future exists for them on board the Isis, and they have decided to seek repatriation on the grounds that Derna have clearly breached their employment contracts. Given that the situation is deteriorating by the minute we have now moved to have the vessel arrested on behalf of the crew, quite simply no other course of action can now be taken, and the company will have to live with the costs and consequences of its own actions.”
Meanwhile, further East, ITF Unions concluded the recent South East Asian Week of Action (13-17 January). Inspectors and union activists targeted thirty four merchant vessels in the Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia and Myanmar, all flying flags of convenience, to check for on board crew conditions, employment contracts, safety and compliance within the terms of the Maritime Labour Convention.
In the Philippines, ITF affiliated Unions AMOSUP & PSU along with the dockers Unions led the inspections during the week. ITF Inspectors targeted eleven ships at the Davao port in southern Philippines which handles major agricultural cargoes including bananas and links the region to Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and the United States. Unions are now following up with owner companies to prevail upon them to sign ITF approved agreements. During the inspections they also attended to individual crew grievances relating to sickness wages, crew having exceeded contract periods and not repatriated back home, etc.
In Singapore a total of seventeen vessels were inspected during the week. Efforts are on to contact the ITF Union in beneficially owned countries to assist in covering the crew on board these vessels with regulated collective agreements. Inspection teams also visited Australian flagged Pacific Raider 4, a fishing vessel which has lain abandoned since September 2013. Of the original 16 Indonesian and Vietnamese crew only 4 are left on board and crew wages have not been paid since December 2012.
In Indonesia, action was subdued as adverse weather conditions with heavy flooding in Jakarta prevented access to the Tanjong Priok port. Only six vessels could be inspected and similarly in Thailand, in spite of preparations, due to political tensions in and around Bangkok, the week of action activities had to be abandoned at the last moment in consultation with the participating Unions. Commenting on the action week programme, Sangam Tripathy, Assistant Regional Secretary, ITF Asia Pacific said:
“This week’s action helped identify many German owned vessels trading in the region without ITF approved agreements on board for the crew. Some of these ships had never been inspected before. We hope to follow up with the concerned companies so that they sign up their vessels with ITF approved agreements regulating work and wage conditions.”
Photo: The Isis lays abandoned by her owners
FROM THE SHIPPING TRIBUNE (INDIA):
***South East Asian maritime Unions conclude Action Week against FOC ships
Posted on January 24, 2014 by admin
Dockers and Seafarers unions in Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia and Myanmar inspected a total of 34 merchant vessels flying flags of convenience (FOC), as ITF Unions concluded the South East Asian Week of Action from 13-17 January. Inspectors/contacts and union activists targeted merchant vessels to check for on board crew conditions, employment contracts, safety and compliance of the Maritime Labour Convention which came into force in August 2013. Also under scan were ships without ITF acceptable agreements that stipulate decent and negotiated wages and ship board conditions for crew members.In Philippines, ITF affiliated Unions AMOSUP & PSU along with the dockers Unions led the inspections during the week. ITF Inspectors targeted 11 ships at the Davao port in southern Philippines which handles major agricultural cargoes including bananas and links the region to Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and the United States. Unions are now following up with owner companies to prevail upon them to sign ITF approved agreements. During the inspections they also attended to individual crew grievances relating to sickness wages, crew having exceeded contract periods and not repatriated back home, etc.
In Singapore a total of 17 vessels were inspected during the week. Efforts are on to contact the ITF Union in beneficially owned countries to assist in covering the crew on board these vessels with regulated collective agreements. Inspection teams also visited Australian flagged Pacific Raider 4, a fishing vessel which lies abandoned since September 2013. Of the original 16 Indonesian and Vietnamese crew only 4 are left on board. Crew wages have not been paid since December 2012.
In Indonesia, action was subdued as adverse weather conditions with heavy flooding in Jakarta prevented access to the Tanjong Priok port. Only 6 vessels could be inspected.
Similarly in Thailand, in spite of preparations, due to political tensions in and around Bangkok, the week of action activities had to be abandoned at the last moment in consultation with the participating Unions.
Commenting on the action week programme, Sangam Tripathy, Assistant Regional Secretary, ITF Asia Pacific said, ‘’This week’s action helped identify many German owned vessels trading in the region without ITF approved agreements on board for the crew. Some of these ships had never been inspected before. We hope to follow up with the concerned companies so that they sign up their vessels with ITF approved agreements regulating work and wage conditions”.
***ITF moves to arrest vessel Isis at Tilbury
The ITF has initiated arrest proceedings on behalf of the crew of the Marshall Islands-flagged M/S Isis, which is moored at Tilbury, England and whose crew are owed at least USD130,000 in pay. The decision to arrest the vessel follows the delivery of a written warning to Athens-based company Derna Carriers over its negligence and evasion of its responsibilities.ITF UK and Ireland coordinator Ken Fleming explained: “A visit to the Isis by myself and my colleague Darren Procter revealed that crew members had been unpaid for months. On the 3rd January Derna had sent an email to the ship stating clearly that all money would be paid to the full crew by the 7th January. This did not happen.
“Since then, the company has utterly failed to abide by its responsibilities. A few crew members have received paltry payments since our visit on the 7th January – which I am sure was done to confuse the ITF and make it look like the crew were not telling the truth. The situation remains that most of what is owed dates back to the 1st November – some two months and three weeks, and is clearly not forthcoming. This is totally unacceptable.”
He concluded: “I have been advised from the ship that all crew want to go home. The company’s litany of broken promises has left them feeling that no future exists for them on board the Isis, and they have decided to seek repatriation on the grounds that Derna have clearly breached their employment contracts. Given that the situation is deteriorating by the minute we have now moved to have the vessel arrested on behalf of the crew – quite simply no other course of action can now be taken, and the company will have to live with the costs and consequences of its own actions.”
Source: Press Release
FROM THE SIU:
***ITF Ramps Up Effort to Protect Crew (1/23)
The International Transport Workers’ Federation, to which the SIU is affiliated, has issued the following news release, dated January 23:
ITF moves to arrest vessel Isis at Tilbury
The ITF has initiated arrest proceedings on behalf of the crew of the Marshall Islands-flagged M/S Isis, which is moored at Tilbury, England and whose crew are owed at least $130,000 in pay. The decision to arrest the vessel follows the delivery of a written warning to Athens-based company Derna Carriers over its negligence and evasion of its responsibilities.
ITF UK and Ireland coordinator Ken Fleming explained: “A visit to the Isis by myself and my colleague Darren Procter revealed that crew members had been unpaid for months. On Jan. 3 Derna had sent an email to the ship stating clearly that all money would be paid to the full crew by Jan. 7. This did not happen.
“Since then, the company has utterly failed to abide by its responsibilities. A few crew members have received paltry payments since our visit on Jan. 7 – which I am sure was done to confuse the ITF and make it look like the crew were not telling the truth. The situation remains that most of what is owed dates back to Nov. 1 – some two months and three weeks, and is clearly not forthcoming. This is totally unacceptable.”
He concluded: “I have been advised from the ship that all crew want to go home. The company’s litany of broken promises has left them feeling that no future exists for them on board the Isis, and they have decided to seek repatriation on the grounds that Derna have clearly breached their employment contracts. Given that the situation is deteriorating by the minute we have now moved to have the vessel arrested on behalf of the crew – quite simply no other course of action can now be taken, and the company will have to live with the costs and consequences of its own actions.”
FROM BALITA PINOY:
***Philippine seaman’s unions inspect ships in checks on working conditions
24 Jan 2014
South East Asian maritime unions conclude Action Week against Flag Of Convenience (FOC) ships
Pinoy seafarers & dockers inspecting ships in Davao to ensure they comply with international regulations on wages and working conditions (larger image below)
Dockers and Seafarers unions in Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia and Myanmar inspected a total of 34 merchant vessels flying flags of convenience (FOC), as ITF Unions concluded the South East Asian Week of Action from 13-17 January.
Inspectors/contacts and union activists targeted merchant vessels to check for on board crew conditions, employment contracts, safety and compliance of the Maritime Labour Convention which came into force in August 2013.
Also under scan were ships without ITF acceptable agreements that stipulate decent and negotiated wages and ship board conditions for crew members.
In the Philippines, ITF affiliated Unions AMOSUP & PSU along with the dockers unions led the inspections during the week. ITF Inspectors targeted 11 ships at the Davao port in southern Philippines which handles major agricultural cargoes including bananas and links the region to Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and the United States.
Unions are now following up with owner companies to prevail upon them to sign ITF approved agreements. During the inspections they also attended to individual crew grievances relating to sickness wages, crew having exceeded contract periods and not repatriated back home, etc.
In Singapore a total of 17 vessels were inspected during the week. Efforts are on to contact the ITF Union in beneficially owned countries to assist in covering the crew on board these vessels with regulated collective agreements.
Inspection teams also visited Australian flagged Pacific Raider 4, a fishing vessel which lies abandoned since September 2013. Of the original 16 Indonesian and Vietnamese crew only 4 are left on board. Crew wages have not been paid since December 2012.
In Indonesia, action was subdued as adverse weather conditions with heavy flooding in Jakarta prevented access to the Tanjong Priok port. Only 6 vessels could be inspected.
Similarly in Thailand, in spite of preparations, due to political tensions in and around Bangkok, the week of action activities had to be abandoned at the last moment in consultation with the participating Unions.
Commenting on the action week programme, Sangam Tripathy, Assistant Regional Secretary, ITF Asia Pacific said, ‘’This week’s action helped identify many German owned vessels trading in the region without ITF approved agreements on board for the crew. Some of these ships had never been inspected before. We hope to follow up with the concerned companies so that they sign up their vessels with ITF approved agreements regulating work and wage conditions”.
The International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) is a global organization of transport workers’ unions. It brings together over 781 unions in more than 155 countries in every part of the world and represents over five million trade union members in every branch of transport.
FROM SEAFARER TIMES (PHILIPPINES):
***ITF moves to arrest vessel Isis at Tilbury
Submitted by Helmsman on Thu, 01/23/2014 – 23:54
The ITF has initiated arrest proceedings on behalf of the crew of the Marshall Islands-flagged M/S Isis, which is moored at Tilbury, England and whose crew are owed at least USD130,000 in pay. The decision to arrest the vessel follows the delivery of a written warning to Athens-based company Derna Carriers over its negligence and evasion of its responsibilities.
ITF UK and Ireland coordinator Ken Fleming explained: “A visit to the Isis by myself and my colleague Darren Procter revealed that crew members had been unpaid for months. On the 3rd January Derna had sent an email to the ship stating clearly that all money would be paid to the full crew by the 7th January. This did not happen.
“Since then, the company has utterly failed to abide by its responsibilities. A few crew members have received paltry payments since our visit on the 7th January – which I am sure was done to confuse the ITF and make it look like the crew were not telling the truth. The situation remains that most of what is owed dates back to the 1st November – some two months and three weeks, and is clearly not forthcoming. This is totally unacceptable.”
He concluded: “I have been advised from the ship that all crew want to go home. The company’s litany of broken promises has left them feeling that no future exists for them on board the Isis, and they have decided to seek repatriation on the grounds that Derna have clearly breached their employment contracts. Given that the situation is deteriorating by the minute we have now moved to have the vessel arrested on behalf of the crew – quite simply no other course of action can now be taken, and the company will have to live with the costs and consequences of its own actions.”
ITF moves to arrest vessel Isis at Tilbury
23 January 2014 received via email
23 January 2014 received via email
The ITF has initiated arrest proceedings on behalf of the crew of the Marshall Islands-flagged M/S Isis, which is moored at Tilbury, England and whose crew are owed at least USD130,000 in pay. The decision to arrest the vessel follows the delivery of a written warning to Athens-based company Derna Carriers over its negligence and evasion of its responsibilities.
ITF UK and Ireland coordinator Ken Fleming explained: “A visit to the Isis by myself and my colleague Darren Procter revealed that crew members had been unpaid for months. On the 3rd January Derna had sent an email to the ship stating clearly that all money would be paid to the full crew by the 7th January. This did not happen.
“Since then, the company has utterly failed to abide by its responsibilities. A few crew members have received paltry payments since our visit on the 7th January – which I am sure was done to confuse the ITF and make it look like the crew were not telling the truth. The situation remains that most of what is owed dates back to the 1st November – some two months and three weeks, and is clearly not forthcoming. This is totally unacceptable.”
He concluded: “I have been advised from the ship that all crew want to go home. The company’s litany of broken promises has left them feeling that no future exists for them on board the Isis, and they have decided to seek repatriation on the grounds that Derna have clearly breached their employment contracts. Given that the situation is deteriorating by the minute we have now moved to have the vessel arrested on behalf of the crew – quite simply no other course of action can now be taken, and the company will have to live with the costs and consequences of its own actions.”
FROM SHIPPING TIMES (UK):
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***ITF Initiates Tilbury Ship Arrest Proceedings
Vessel at English port, crew said to be unpaid for months…
Vessel at English port, crew said to be unpaid for months…
The ITF has initiated arrest proceedings on behalf of the crew of the Marshall Islands-flagged M/S Isis, which is moored at Tilbury, England and whose crew are owed at least USD130,000 in pay. The decision to arrest the vessel follows the delivery of a written warning to Athens-based company Derna Carriers over its negligence and evasion of its responsibilities.
ITF UK and Ireland coordinator Ken Fleming explained: “A visit to the Isis by myself and my colleague Darren Procter revealed that crew members had been unpaid for months. On the 3rd January Derna had sent an email to the ship stating clearly that all money would be paid to the full crew by the 7th January. This did not happen.
“Since then, the company has utterly failed to abide by its responsibilities. A few crew members have received paltry payments since our visit on the 7th January – which I am sure was done to confuse the ITF and make it look like the crew were not telling the truth. The situation remains that most of what is owed dates back to the 1st November – some two months and three weeks, and is clearly not forthcoming. This is totally unacceptable.”
He concluded: “I have been advised from the ship that all crew want to go home. The company’s litany of broken promises has left them feeling that no future exists for them on board the Isis, and they have decided to seek repatriation on the grounds that Derna have clearly breached their employment contracts. Given that the situation is deteriorating by the minute we have now moved to have the vessel arrested on behalf of the crew – quite simply no other course of action can now be taken, and the company will have to live with the costs and consequences of its own actions.”
FROM HELLENIC SHIPPING NEWS (GREECE):
***ITF moves to arrest vessel Isis at Tilbury
Thursday, 23 January 2014 | 20:40
The ITF has initiated arrest proceedings on behalf of the crew of the Marshall Islands-flagged M/S Isis, which is moored at Tilbury, England and whose crew are owed at least USD130,000 in pay. The decision to arrest the vessel follows the delivery of a written warning to Athens-based company Derna Carriers over its negligence and evasion of its responsibilities.
ITF UK and Ireland coordinator Ken Fleming explained: “A visit to the Isis by myself and my colleague Darren Procter revealed that crew members had been unpaid for months. On the 3rd January Derna had sent an email to the ship stating clearly that all money would be paid to the full crew by the 7th January. This did not happen.
“Since then, the company has utterly failed to abide by its responsibilities. A few crew members have received paltry payments since our visit on the 7th January – which I am sure was done to confuse the ITF and make it look like the crew were not telling the truth. The situation remains that most of what is owed dates back to the 1st November – some two months and three weeks, and is clearly not forthcoming. This is totally unacceptable.”
He concluded: “I have been advised from the ship that all crew want to go home. The company’s litany of broken promises has left them feeling that no future exists for them on board the Isis, and they have decided to seek repatriation on the grounds that Derna have clearly breached their employment contracts. Given that the situation is deteriorating by the minute we have now moved to have the vessel arrested on behalf of the crew – quite simply no other course of action can now be taken, and the company will have to live with the costs and consequences of its own actions.”
Source: ITF
FROM THE ETF:
Dear members of the press,
Please find attached and below the ETF Press Invitation regarding the Final Conference of the joint EU Social Partners Project on the eradication of harassment and bullying in shipping, taking place on Wednesday 29 January 2014 from 09:00 to 13:45 in Brussels.
Press Invitation
Brussels, 24 January 2014
Final Conference of the joint EU Social Partners Project on the eradication of harassment and bullying in shipping
Members of the press are cordially invited to attend this event
on Wednesday 29 January 2014
09:00 – 13:45
Venue: HUSA HOTEL PRESIDENT PARK, 44, Boulevard du Roi Albert II
1000 Brussels
The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) and the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA) invite the members of the press to the above-mentioned Conference where the outcomes of the project will be presented, namely the associated training toolkit which is primarily intended for use by all categories of seafarers and the shipping companies, and the maritime community at large.
The Conference will bring together experts from the ILO (Transport and Maritime Sectors Unit), the European Parliament (Employment Committee), Commission’s officials from both DG EMPL and DG MOVE, ETUC Confederal Secretary Claudia Menne, the Head of the UK Merchant Navy Training Board, Ms Glenys Jackson, as well as European Social Partners’ representatives.
During a panel discussion and Q&A session, scheduled from 11:45 to 13:30, participants will debate the best ways to tackle the phenomenon and exchange views on how to get the message through within the European shipping industry when it comes to eradicate harassment and bullying.
Journalists have the opportunity to ask questions during and after the event and they will be offered all the material contained in the training toolkit that has been produced, i.e. the Guidelines to Shipping Companies on Eliminating Workplace Harassment and Bullying, theTraining Video as well as the associated Workbook aimed at “training the trainers”.
The project partners expect around 100 participants to this event, amongst them trade union leaders and shipowners’ reps from the EU maritime nations, EU Members States Transport Attachés, stakeholders in the shipping industry, including representatives from Maritime and Education Training Institutes.
Please confirm your attendance by email to Philippe Alfonso (p.alfonso@etf-europe.org) copy to Rémi Gelmini (r.gelmini@etf-europe.org) no later than Monday, 27 January at 5:00 p.m. Please also express your interest in participating to the walking lunch that will follow the conference.
Simultaneous interpretation in English and French will be provided during the event.
For further information please contact:
Philippe Alfonso, ETF Political Secretary for Maritime Transport
Tel. +32.2.285.45.84, email p.alfonso@etf-europe.org
Koen Reynaerts, ETF Communication and General Policy officer
Tel. +32.2.285.46.69, email k.reynaerts@etf-europe.org
Christophe Tytgat, ECSA Senior Director – Competition, Social and Legal Affairs, Trade Facilitation
Tel. +32 2 510 61 29, email christophe.tytgat@ecsa.eu
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The ETF represents more than 2.5 million transport workers from 243 transport unions and 41 European countries, in the following sectors: railways, road transport and logistics, maritime transport, inland waterways, civil aviation, ports & docks, tourism and fisheries.
ECSA is the trade association representing the national shipowners’ associations of the EU and Norway (close to 99% of the EEA fleet or about 20% of the world fleet).
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Best regards,
ETF Administration
European Transport Workers’ Federation
Galerie Agora
Rue du Marché aux Herbes 105, Boîte 11
B – 1000 Bruxelles
BELGIUM
Tel: +32 2 285 46 60
Fax: +32 2 280 08 17
www.etf-europe.org
European Transport Workers’ Federation
Galerie Agora
Rue du Marché aux Herbes 105, Boîte 11
B – 1000 Bruxelles
BELGIUM
Tel: +32 2 285 46 60
Fax: +32 2 280 08 17
www.etf-europe.org
FROM MIZO NEWS:
***European air traffic controllers to go on strike
0inShare
Vienna: The strikes to take place in Austria, Germany, France, Italy, Portugal, Slovakia and Hungary is to oppose an European Commission reform plan that might involve austerity measures and job cuts for air traffic controllers in Europe, reported Xinhua Thursday citing the Austrian Press Agency (APA).
The Air Traffic Controllers European Unions Coordination (ATCEUC), comprising 28 unions and 14,000 members, set Wednesday as the action day, while the European Transport Workers Federation (ETF) will stage its strike Thursday.
In Austria, air traffic controllers at all the airports will strike from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday, which is likely to cause flight delays and cancellations, APA reported.
German air traffic controllers will strike from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. (0700 to 0800 GMT) Wednesday, which is expected to affect 600 flights.
France’s largest air traffic control union SNTCA planned to follow suit from Monday evening to Friday, but the final strike dates are still subject to negotiations with administrative bodies.
In Italy, air traffic controllers will strike Wednesday and Thursday.
FROM THE MEDI TELEGRAPH:
***ITF moves to arrest vessel Isis at Tilbury
Tilbury – The ITF has initiated arrest proceedings on behalf of the crew of the Marshall Islands-flagged M/S Isis, which is moored at Tilbury, England and whose crew are owed at least USD130,000 in pay.
January 23, 2014
inShare
TAG
Shipping – Shipowners – Ports – Sea Transport – Regulation – Europe
Tilbury – The ITF has initiated arrest proceedings on behalf of the crew of the Marshall Islands-flagged M/S Isis, which is moored at Tilbury, England and whose crew are owed at least USD130,000 in pay. The decision to arrest the vessel follows the delivery of a written warning to Athens-based company Derna Carriers over its negligence and evasion of its responsibilities. ITF UK and Ireland coordinator Ken Fleming explained: “A visit to the Isis by myself and my colleague Darren Procter revealed that crew members had been unpaid for months. On the 3rd January Derna had sent an email to the ship stating clearly that all money would be paid to the full crew by the 7th January. This did not happen. “Since then, the company has utterly failed to abide by its responsibilities. A few crew members have received paltry payments since our visit on the 7th January – which I am sure was done to confuse the ITF and make it look like the crew were not telling the truth.
The situation remains that most of what is owed dates back to the 1st November – some two months and three weeks, and is clearly not forthcoming. This is totally unacceptable.” He concluded: “I have been advised from the ship that all crew want to go home. The company’s litany of broken promises has left them feeling that no future exists for them on board the Isis, and they have decided to seek repatriation on the grounds that Derna have clearly breached their employment contracts. Given that the situation is deteriorating by the minute we have now moved to have the vessel arrested on behalf of the crew – quite simply no other course of action can now be taken, and the company will have to live with the costs and consequences of its own actions.”