The eleven crew of the Panamanian flagged ‘Agean Princess’ returned home to India and Myanmar, after being held in Ajman, United Arab Emirates, for 17 months, due to a dispute between their ships operator and owner, according to the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF). However, ITF stressed that the crew are still owed unpaid wages going back to 2015, totaling over USD 916,000.
“This has been a difficult case, and in the end we were helped to conclude it by UAE Federal Transport Authority,” said ITF inspector, Mohamed Arrachedi, who has been helping the crew since they were abandoned in June 2016.
The UAE has been criticized several times for being at the centre of seafarer abandonment. Back in October, UAE joined forces with ITF, seeking to develop a protocol to govern a closer working relationship, including increased cooperation and information exchange, to tackle abandonment cases in UAE waters.
In a bid to tackle the issue, UAE FTA issued a circular requiring all ships flying the UAE flag trading internationally, as well as all ships operating in UAE waters above 200 gross tons, to have a financial security system to protect seafarers against abandonment, death or injury. The insurance must cover up to four months’ owed wages and entitlements.
This measure is to enter into force from 20 February 2018, as the country is entering into Maritime Labour Convention (MLC). Ships not complying with the requirement will not be allowed to anchor or call UAE ports.
“The ITF and the FTA have been working closely to end abandonment in UAE waters, and these seafarers have seen the benefit of this. As the UAE moves towards fully complying with the Maritime Labour Convention, all seafarers will enjoy the greater protection they deserve when working there,” said Mr. Arrachedi.
“But this is not the end of this sad story, the seafarers are owed wages going back to 2015, totalling over USD 916,000. There is never an excuse for seafarers to be abandoned like this, it is a scourge that has to stop, and it has to stop now,” he concluded.