The International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF), together with its affiliates in six Asean countries including Malaysia, will conduct a week-long campaign to book errant shipowners who flout labour laws and exploit their workers, Bernama reports.
Its local coordinator, A. Balasubramaniam, said the campaign, from Jan 9, 2012, would cover major ports in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Myanmar, Philippines and Indonesia.
"During the campaign, members of the affiliate unions will check on vessels registered in countries which have very lax registration requirements detrimental to seafarers," he told Bernama here today.
Balasubramaniam, who is also vice president of the Malaysian Trades Union Congress, said these 'flag of convenience ships' registered in the countries with lax regulations and not in the owners' countries.
"It is cheaper and they are able to escape the health and safety and labour regulations of their home country. Among them are Panama, Bahamas and Barbadosa," he said.
He said two years ago, the ITF conducted a similar campaign where it checked on 398 vessels and recovered over RM1.5 million in outstanding wages for the crew.
"The campaign will also highlight on the plights of port workers in a number of countries where jobs and work conditions are being eroded," he said.
Its local coordinator, A. Balasubramaniam, said the campaign, from Jan 9, 2012, would cover major ports in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Myanmar, Philippines and Indonesia.
"During the campaign, members of the affiliate unions will check on vessels registered in countries which have very lax registration requirements detrimental to seafarers," he told Bernama here today.
Balasubramaniam, who is also vice president of the Malaysian Trades Union Congress, said these 'flag of convenience ships' registered in the countries with lax regulations and not in the owners' countries.
"It is cheaper and they are able to escape the health and safety and labour regulations of their home country. Among them are Panama, Bahamas and Barbadosa," he said.
He said two years ago, the ITF conducted a similar campaign where it checked on 398 vessels and recovered over RM1.5 million in outstanding wages for the crew.
"The campaign will also highlight on the plights of port workers in a number of countries where jobs and work conditions are being eroded," he said.