Crew Robbed of $400,000 in Wages

The International Transport Workers' Federation successfully won a backpay for the crew off a ship moored in Newcastle on September 25.

The Ukranian crew on board the Maltese registered Flag of Convenience ship St. Luke had not been paid for almost seven months.

"They were collectively owed $400,000," said National ITF Co-coordinator Dean Summers. "And the company weren't even denying it."

Summers said the 20-year-old bulk carrier laid up in Newcastle 1 Dyke Wharf awaiting a cargo of coal destined for Brazil was a bit of a rust bucket. Crew conditions on board looked bad.

While these Ukranian seafarers are not from the same manning company that replaced Australians on the CSL Pacific and the Stadacona (Yarra) Summers said this latest incident shows that Ukranians are open to the worst examples of exploitation.

"We rejected the company claim that they withheld wages because of an increased threat of pirates," he said. "In cases like this it's all too clear who the real pirates are."

A meeting of more than 40 MUA members in the port collected over $1000 as a donation to the crew to enable them to purchase basic personal supplies and phone cards.

No Angel

Meanwhile Jill Hall (Federal member for Shortland), Sharon Grierson (Federal Member for Newcastle) and Gary Kennedy, Trades Hall, joined the ITF in Newcastle on an inspection of the Maltese flag of convenience ship Angel III.

Attempts by the ITF to contact the Greek owners, however, were met with stony silence and the Greek captain refused to allow the ITF or MPs the opportunity to inspect the Burmese crew quarters. Nor would he acknowledge how much the crew were being paid.

"To say the Greek captain was somewhat surprised by the political strength of the delegation would be understating his reaction," said Summers. "Our politicians were shocked by his refusal to allow them to look over the ship or inspect the conditions under which the Burmese crew was forced to live and work."

ITF Action week commences in November.