International Transport Workers Federation (ITF), unions of seafarers and dock workers from the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore launched an industrial campaign against “Flags of Convenience” (FOC) ships visiting their ports, urging the FOCs to enforce decent pay and working conditions for seafarers working aboard the said ships.
ITF Manila inspector Rodrigo Aguinaldo and ITF Cebu inspector Joselito Pedaria said ITF unions from Southeast Asia (SEA) launched a weeklong action last Jan. 9 to 13 against FOC ships in designated ports of aforesaid countries, where ITF inspectors and union activists investigated ships, crew contracts, working and living conditions on board FOC vessels, notorious for employing seafarers on exploitative conditions.
“The weeklong action was well coordinated from the ITF’s Asia Pacific Office in New Delhi, India, with the big hope that some companies plying FOC vessels come around to sign ITF agreements to ensure implementation of internationally accepted wage and working conditions for seafarers on board these ships,” they said.
In the Philippines, things went on a slow note on the first day of the action week because of heightened security alert poised by terrorist threats in Manila, notably in Port Area.
A very impressive rally of seafarers and dockers’ union against the ills of FOC shipping was taken out on the second day from the union office to the Asian terminal. Three vessels were inspected, where on board the Japanese-owned Panama-flagged “Hanjin Surabaya” were discovered poor wages. Right out there, the Japanese Inspectorate was alerted. Negotiations with the company are now underway,” said Aguinaldo and Pedaria.
In Bangkok port, ITF activists inspected four ships in the first two days and found “gross violations” in payment of crew wages. On board “Kiribati” flagged “Tai Fu No. 1”, the Philippine able-bodied (AB) seaman was found to be getting only $300 basic wage. The Russian master refused to show any employment contracts.
ITF Manila inspector Rodrigo Aguinaldo and ITF Cebu inspector Joselito Pedaria said ITF unions from Southeast Asia (SEA) launched a weeklong action last Jan. 9 to 13 against FOC ships in designated ports of aforesaid countries, where ITF inspectors and union activists investigated ships, crew contracts, working and living conditions on board FOC vessels, notorious for employing seafarers on exploitative conditions.
“The weeklong action was well coordinated from the ITF’s Asia Pacific Office in New Delhi, India, with the big hope that some companies plying FOC vessels come around to sign ITF agreements to ensure implementation of internationally accepted wage and working conditions for seafarers on board these ships,” they said.
In the Philippines, things went on a slow note on the first day of the action week because of heightened security alert poised by terrorist threats in Manila, notably in Port Area.
A very impressive rally of seafarers and dockers’ union against the ills of FOC shipping was taken out on the second day from the union office to the Asian terminal. Three vessels were inspected, where on board the Japanese-owned Panama-flagged “Hanjin Surabaya” were discovered poor wages. Right out there, the Japanese Inspectorate was alerted. Negotiations with the company are now underway,” said Aguinaldo and Pedaria.
In Bangkok port, ITF activists inspected four ships in the first two days and found “gross violations” in payment of crew wages. On board “Kiribati” flagged “Tai Fu No. 1”, the Philippine able-bodied (AB) seaman was found to be getting only $300 basic wage. The Russian master refused to show any employment contracts.