THE INTERNATIONAL Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) says it has come to the assistance of seafarers who were forced to fish to make up for depleted food stores on board a vessel berthed in a South Australian port.
The ITF claims, not only did the 22 Chinese crewmembers on the Hong-Kong registered bulk carrier Tien Hau have to fish for their supper, but they are also still owed $47,000 in back pay. The Tien Hau was loading wheat in the port of Wallaroo the previous week.
ITF assistant coordinator in Australia Matt Purcell says the 14 year old vessel is a ‘floating sweatshop’.
“It has not been paying the Chinese crew on board in compliance with the ITF national agreement, the crew's amenities are in a disgraceful state and food stocks are so low in the galley the crew have been fishing at the berth to supplement their diet," Purcell said.
The ITF claims food stores on board were replenished before the carrier left the port, bound for Papua New Guinea. Fenwick Shipping, the vessel’s operator, is said to have promised to improve conditions.
According to Purcell, the ITF will hold the operator to its promises and will check on the seafarers once the Tien Hau returns to Australia and take any necessary steps to ensure they receive the money they are owed.
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