 ITF
Week
of action an outstanding success
Figures released by the ITF
today back up the organization's claim that its recent Asia Pacific week of
action (16 to 20 October) against sub-standard shipping was an outstanding
success
The
figures are not yet fully complete, but according to the latest information:
•ITF inspectors, assisted by volunteers from seafarers’ and
dockers’ trade unions, inspected 499 ships during the week.
•US$1,258,816 of outstanding wages has been recovered so
far. (Inspectors in Japan expect to achieve a further US $334,696).
•23 new agreements were signed and more are under negotiation
Stephen Cotton, Secretary of
the ITF’s Special Seafarers Department, stated: “Nearly 500 ships inspected,
over one and a quarter million dollars recovered for crews so far – this has
been a hell of an event. Everyone involved can congratulate themselves on
putting in such a tremendous effort to make the seas safer for seafarers.
He continued: “We know that
some owners have been keeping the worst of their vessels out of the ports in
which inspections have been held. This week of action and the ones in Europe and
North America have been immensely valuable in teaching us how to combat that
kind of evasion. What we have learned in these events will allow us to plan even
better targeted and more focused actions in the future.
The countries participating in
the Asia-Pacific week of action were: Australia; Bangladesh; Canada (west
coast); Fiji; Hong Kong, India; Indonesia; Japan; Kiribati, Korea: Malaysia; New
Zealand; Pakistan; Papua New Guinea; Philippines, Russia (Vladivostock);
Singapore; Solomon Islands; Sri Lanka; Taiwan; Thailand; Tuvalu, USA (west
coast); and Vanuatu.
The week of action was designed
to identify problem and unsafe shipping, fight for the rights of crews and
highlight the abuses that the Flag of Convenience system too often allows to
take place.
The Asia Pacific event followed
similar weeks of action held in Europe and North America.
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