Skip to main content

Violence and threats - ITF inspector steps in to aid crew

ニュース

In October the UK Border Force contacted inspector Tommy Molloy because they were concerned about two young Indian seafarers onboard the Amira Laura, a Tuvalu registered cargo ship.

Mr Molloy discovered that the seafarers were being severely underpaid, required to work 16 hour per days and fed cold food and bread once a day.

He then found that an Egyptian crew member was being paid USD500 per month, despite his contract saying he should get USD1,750.

This led to a total payment claim of USD27,500 for the three seafarers by Mr Molloy, even though the Maritime Coastguard Agency had felt it was unable to insist that the International Labour Organization (ILO) minimum wage was paid.

Mr Molloy said: “But things then went from bad to worse as they waited for their money. The family members of the crew were threatened in their home countries and the brother of the Egyptian was beaten up by representatives of the company, El Amira.

“Then the three seafarers suffered physical violence onboard, and I was also threatened. I had to call in the police and port security to intervene and we took the three guys off the ship and put them up in a hotel.”

Since then the two Indian seafarers have flown home with ITF officials meeting them in Chennai to ensure their safety. The Egyptian seafarer is in the UK as his application for asylum is considered.

Mr Molloy added: “This was a shocking case of exploitation, but I can’t see why it was allowed to happen. How can authorities say they can’t enforce the ILO minimum wage when it’s referred to in the 2006 Maritime Labour Convention?

“They are not the only flag state authorities to do so. I have been told directly by one flag state that it is not enforceable. In which case what is the point of it?

“In effect they are saying a ship owner is welcome to pay as little as they can get away with.”

現場の声

ニュース

南米大陸横断回廊のトラック運転手を保護するILO勧告

南米大陸横断回廊の道路運送を持続可能にする画期的な勧告を ILO が発表  この ILO 勧告 は南米大陸横断回廊を走行するトラック運転手の労働条件・安全衛生向上のための具体的な計画を示したもので、南米の ITF 加盟組合、使用者団体、各国政府の合意の成果である。  チリ、ボリビア、アルゼンチン、パラグアイ、ブラジルを横断するこの回廊は、輸送コストの削減と雇用機会の拡大を通じて
ニュース

ITFの女性が世界を動かす!

ジェンダー平等が約束ではなく、実践される世界を築く  2024 年 10 月の大会での選出以降、初の女性委員会が今週2日間にわたり開催され、活発な議論と意見交換を経て、向こう5年間の優先事項が確認された。  連帯と女性のリーダーシップというテーマがすべての議論に貫かれ、女性交通運輸労働者のために成果を実現し、強力で平等な組合を構築する活動計画の基礎が固められた。  ジェンダーに起因する賃金格差