UK Human Rights at Sea published a third Abandonment of Seafarers Case Study, on behalf of Indian seafarer AB Mayur Gawade. The publication follows the case study on behalf of Captain Ayyappan Swaminathan, Master of the MV Azraqmoiah and the case study concerning the abundance of the eight Indian seafarers in Walvis Bay.
Specifically, Gawade is still abandoned on board the offshore support vessel Al Nader off the Sharjah OPL anchorage, UAE, after 18 months without pay amounting to $6,000 and no ability to see his family.
During the period of his absence, he was unable to attend the funeral of his Grandmother eight months ago, whilst he remains the main earner for the immediate and extended family.
In addition, Human Rights at Sea met with four members of Gawade’s family in a small village outside of Pune, India.
The family grows onions on two small fields and has two cows. His mother and father live elsewhere, but his wages were also supporting them. For the time being, the family has no money, and the onions are dying from lack of rain – the family does not have direct access to a well.
In the meantime, Gawade has intermittent access by phone – a Tanzanian vessel volunteers assistance by mooring alongside between jobs to provide the Al Nader with WiFi and electricity. Otherwise, the Al Nader crew cook on an open stove made from a barrel.
As his Uncle reported
He left us to work to make life better for his family. We are very proud of him, but we want him back. We want him to visit his Grandmother’s grave.
Generally, Human Rights at Sea gave an insight of the abandonment of 40 seafarers in the UAE in December 2018. The conditions remain harsh, and the seafarers suffer from physical and mental health issues.
In light of the seafarers’ abandonment, Elizabeth Mavropoulou, Charity Administrator & Programme Manager at HRAS has already commented in the existent situation, supporting that by making the incident public, HRAS has been contacted by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) while ITF, the ILO and IMO, who seem interested in this issue.
Also, a petition was launched in favour of them, by the British human rights charity ‘Justice Upheld’.
For more information on the case study, click herebelow