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Joint IBF press release: IBF speaks out on Hebei Spirit treatment
21 November 2008
Joint press release from the IBF. Hong Kong, 21 November 2008
IBF speaks out on Hebei Spirit treatment
The IBF today condemned the treatment of the Hebei Spirit officers detained in South Korea and pledged its members to do all they can to secure their release.
Meeting in Hong Kong, the IBF (International Bargaining Forum, which brings together union and ship owner representatives) spoke out on the plight of Captain Jasprit Chawla and Chief Officer Syam Chetan. The two men have been refused permission to return home even though they were acquitted by a South Korean Court under article 325 of the Criminal Procedure Act of South Korea and cleared of all charges of violating the nation’s anti-pollution laws when a passing mobile craft collided with their ship last December.
The IBF stated that since the collision and the ensuing oil spill cannot be attributed to any negligence on their part and since they have already been proven innocent under South Korean law, the treatment of them is unlawful and unjust, and in contravention of their human rights.
Captain Manji, Chairman of the JNG said: “Captain Chawla and Chief Officer Chetan have been found innocent of causing last December's spill, they have been held for nearly a year and now they are being effectively punished further on a virtual non-charge. The treatment of these men has been repudiated by us, by the shipping industry, by seafarers' unions and by the Indian Government, all of whom have petitioned the Korean Government and courts for their release. All of us are aware of the effect the oil spill had on those who live and work in the area, but picking on these two officers will not lessen the damage.”
Brian Orrell, Chairman of the Seafarers Section said: “It is time to let these men go home and restore South Korea’s image as a place where justice is done, not a place where it is seen to be undone. We respect the independence of the nation’s courts and we all ask them to respect the rights of these men to a family life and to resume their jobs. Here we have yet another blatant unjustified case of criminalization of a profession that is relied upon to carry trade throughout the world. The men have already been cleared of any responsibility and yet they continue to be hounded as scapegoats are needed. If this continues there will be no one willing to go to sea”.
ENDS
About the IBF (see www.itfseafarers.org/about-IBF.cfm for more details)
The IBF is a breakthrough negotiating forum that brings together the ITF and international maritime employers .
In 1999, the ITF began to negotiate with the International Maritime Employers’ Committee (IMEC), a group of ship owners and managers from around the world. Soon afterwards, another group of ship owners, the International Mariners Management Association of Japan (IMMAJ), also entered into dialogue with the ITF. Together, IMEC and IMMAJ form the Joint Negotiating Group (JNG). The JNG was formally established in 2003. It has since expanded to include the Korean Shipowners’ Association (KSA).
For more information contact ITF press officer, Sam Dawson.
Direct line: + 44 (0)20 7940 9260.
Email: dawson_sam@itf.org.uk
International Transport Workers' Federation - ITF:
HEAD OFFICE
ITF House, 49 - 60 Borough Road, London SE1 1DS
Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7403 2733
Fax: + 44 (0) 20 7375 7871
Email: mail@itf.org.uk
Web: www.itfglobal.org
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