After 11 months without pay and more than a year abandoned onboard the MV Ula bulk carrier in the port of Shuaiba, Kuwait, its crewmembers have gone on a hunger strike.
According to ITF, the mixed crew from India, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Bangladesh are demanding immediate repatriation and payment.
In light of the situation, seafarers have rejected all meals from 7 January, saying they cannot eat while their families go hungry and their hunger strike now drags in to February.
“The crew have been on board the vessel for 14 months, some for longer than 19 months. One has been 26 months on board. They are asking Kuwait to replace them with local crew, so that they can go home to their families. They have not been paid for 11 months.”
…said Mohamed Arrachedi, ITF Arab World and Iran Network Coordinator for the International Transport Workers’ Federation.
In addition, ITF has contacted the parties with obligations and responsibilities towards the crew more than a year ago, back in September 2019. Namely, this included the Qatari ship owner and their insurer.
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Since then, the ITF has been fighting again and again to get the crew food, water and the substantial wages payments that they are owed.
“Since the ship is now flagless, it is left up to the Kuwaiti maritime authorities to resolve the situation. Kuwait has a legal and moral responsibility to save these seafarers while there is still time. As always, the ITF is on standby to assist in any way we can.”
….Arrachedi concluded.
