Union Strength

MV Banglar Samriddhi got stuck in a war zone in Olivia Port, Ukraine. We informed the ITF right away to take immediate steps to ensure the safety of the vessel MV Banglar Samriddhi. The ITF took the matter very seriously: they contacted the IMO directly and demanded the IMO provide all necessary assistance ASAP. On 2 March, the ship was attacked by a rocket while anchored outside Olivia Port. 

Third Engineer Hadisur Rahman was burnt to death on the spot at the time of the missile attack on the bridge. Bangladeshi seafarers onboard the Banglar Samriddhi were repatriated after the ship's third engineer was killed in a missile attack. 

Merchant Marine officers demanded the release of the probe report on the missile attack on the Bangladeshi vessel Banglar Samriddhi, abandoned and floating near Olvia port in Ukraine. A donation cheque for 1,000,000 Bangladeshi Taka was sent to the late Hadisur Rahman’s family, this came from members and the ITF Seafarers’ Trust Emergency Fund. Several press conferences were organised by BMMOA, demanding a death compensation, and at last, after many conferences, media articles and in-person follow-ups with the relevant authorities, legitimate rights for the late Hadisur Rahman were successfully obtained.His family received USD 500,000 in compensation from the government. 

This story is a reminder that we must increase rights, raise legal awareness, and inspire people to work towards change. Taking steps with the union, and focusing on collaboration, self-confidence and pre-planning before any job. Start volunteering if nobody helps. It is a story to inspire young folks and to highlight the importance of unions. Gain strength and decision-making power, knowing what to do and how to do it. Plan every step. Learn clearly before planning.

Storytelling

It is important to share our stories because people in other unions may know how we stay united and how we work during emergencies. They can also relate to it when any contingency takes place.

The 28 crew members of the Bangladeshi ship Banglar Samriddhi' were stranded in war-ravaged Ukraine. MV Banglar Samriddhi got stuck in a war zone in Olivia Port, Ukraine. 

Instantly we informed ITF to take immediate steps to ensure the safety of the vessel ‘MV Banglar Samriddhi’. The ITF took the matter very seriously: they contacted the IMO directly and demanded the IMO provide all necessary assistance ASAP.

Several press conferences were organised by BMMOA, demanding compensation for the death of Hadisur Rahman. Finally, after many meetings, media and in-person follow ups with the relevant authorities, compensation was granted.
The 28 crew members of the Bangladeshi ship Banglar Samriddhi were stranded in war-ravaged Ukraine. MV Banglar Samriddhi got stuck in a war zone in Olivia Port, Ukraine. Instantly we informed ITF to take immediate steps to ensure the safety of the vessel
Unfortunately on 2 March, the ship was attacked by a rocket while anchored outside Olivia Port. As a result of the rocket attack, the ship's navigation bridge caught fire. All the seafarers working on the ship bravely put out the fire.
Third Engineer Hadisur Rahman was burnt to death on the spot at the time of missile attack on the bridge. Mohammad Hadisur Rahman was an ex-cadet (47th batch) of the Bangladesh Marine Academy and the only earning member of his family.
There was a call to rescue the 28 stranded crew members of Banglar Samriddhi in Ukraine. We made our best efforts and used our connections to involve a philanthropic local Bangladeshi community in Ukraine, as well as the Bangladesh Embassy officials.
Bangladeshi seafarers from the Banglar Samriddhi were repatriated after the ship's third engineer was killed in a missile attack. Seafarers left for Bangladesh from Romania’s capital, Bucharest, by special flight on a Tuesday evening.
The frightened family members of the ship’s crew members were waiting eagerly in the airport to welcome their loving family members after a long, dark time.
Merchant Marine officers demanded the release of the probe report on the missile attack on the Bangladeshi vessel Banglar Samriddhi, abandoned and floating near Olvia port in Ukraine.
A donation cheque of 1,000,000 Bangladeshi Taka was sent to the late Hadisur Rahman’s family, this came from members and the ITF Seafarers’ Trust Emergency Fund, and a government job at Bangladesh Shipping Corporation was also arranged for his brother.