Five Filipino crew of the German-owned RIKA flew home from the UK to Manila on 27 February after the ITF helped them win US$46,000 in back pay and repatriation.
The crew had taken strike action when they reached UK waters because the home allotment portion of their wages had not been paid over since October by the Manila crewing agents. "The lack of money caused hardship to the families back home," said ITF inspector Bill Anderson. "One crew member was very distraught as his wife had just given birth prematurely, with the baby in an incubator, and the hospital was screaming for money."
The crew refused to sail the ship after it had discharged its cargo at Teesport, England, and the ITF stepped in to retrieve their pay and arrange repatriation. "I would not let them off the vessel until they had the cash in their hands," said Bill.
The money finally arrived on 26 February, and the crew were able to return home. Bill Anderson said: "They can't thank the ITF enough." The crew also received support from seamen's missions while they were berthed in Middlesbrough.
A new Polish crew have now been taken on the RIKA, but they face further trouble, as the ship is likely to be arrested when it arrives in Germany for non-payment of fuel bills.
Meanwhile, the strike by the 15 Russian crew of the Kigilyakh in the far eastern Russian port of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky continues. The crew have been taking action against the North-Eastern Shipping Company of Vladivostok since 14 February to retrieve wages of US$76,187, owed for over six months in some cases. The action has received widespread media publicity, but ITF regional inspector Petr Osichansky reports that the crew are facing problems with shortages of water and other provisions.
PROBLEMS WITH PAY?
Are you having problems with getting your pay in full? If you are, this could be a sign that your company is in economic trouble. You should contact your union or the ITF directly as soon as possible to protect your wages and employment.
Source: http://www.itfseafarers.org/maritime_news.cfm/newsdetail/3095/region/6/section/0/order/1
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