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South East Asia week of action – day three update
26/11/09
The following update has been received from the ITF Tokyo office, which is the reporting centre for the South East Asia week of action (for more information on the week see also the press release ‘South East Asia week of action begins today’ at www.itfglobal.org/press-area/index.cfm/pressdetail/3970):
“ITF affiliated unions and ITF Inspectors have been putting great pressure on FOC vessels trading in South East Asia. In the first three days, around 40 FOC vessels have been inspected in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Currently, there are four ongoing negotiations to sign ITF approved agreements to cover seven vessels that are beneficially owned by shipping companies in Japan, Korea and Malaysia.
Vessels with ITF approved agreements have also been inspected to ensure compliance. Currently inspectors in Indonesia and Korea are working together to help recover three months back pay wages for Indonesian seafarers on a Norwegian owned, Korean managed reefer. This case is complicated due to the involvement of a manning agent who is alleged to have run away with the money which was supposed to be paid to crew members.
Vessels flying flags that are not declared FOC are also inspected and if there is no collective bargaining agreement the companies are asked to enter into negotiations with the appropriate national trade union. Wilhelmsen Ship Management Sdn Bhd is currently in talks with the National Union of Seafarers of Peninsular Malaysia to sign CBAs for three Malaysian flagged vessels.
Kotoku Kaiun Co Ltd, vessels have been particularly targeted for its anti-union stance and their vessels are tracked wherever they visit in the region. ITF inspectors currently working in South East Asia have issued a ‘Notice of Warning’ to the company to enter into negotiations with All Japan Seamen’s Union.”
ENDS
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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