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Action week targets FOC vessels in South East Asia
27/11/09
The ITF week of action in South East Asia – which began on 23 November – is putting pressure on vessels that fly flags of convenience (FOCs) to sign up to agreements to protect conditions for their crews.
The action was launched by ITF-affiliated seafarers' and dockers' unions in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and Singapore.
In just the first three days, ITF inspectors had inspected around 40 FOC vessels. This led to immediate negotiations to sign ITF-approved agreements to cover seven vessels owned by shipping companies in Japan, South Korea and Malaysia.
Inspectors have also checked vessels with ITF-approved agreements to ensure that they are complying with their terms. Inspectors in Indonesia and South Korea are currently working together to help recover three months' back wages for Indonesian seafarers on a Norwegian-owned, South Korean-managed reefer. A crewing agent is alleged to have run away with the money owed to crew members.
Vessels owned by Kotoku Kaiun Co Ltd have been particularly targeted for its anti-union stance, and ITF inspectors currently working in South East Asia have issued a "notice of warning" to the company to enter into negotiations with the All Japan Seamen’s Union.
Even before the week began, one of the targeted companies agreed to sign an agreement for one of its vessels with the Taiwan-based National Chinese Seamen’s Union, and was taken off the target list.
The unions have also been working together to spotlight the exploitation of Burmese seafarers, who are particularly vulnerable to abuse.
A similar campaign in 2008 led to a total of 398 ships inspected and almost US$500,000 recovered in back pay for the crew.
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