Crew not being paid or treated properly – detention lifted by Transport Canada
ITF has issued a press release regarding a new MLC detention in Canada. which is is the third detention in Canada since the Convention came into force on August 20, 2013. The Panamanian-flagged bulk carrier Kouyou was detained last week in the port of Quebec, Canada, after maritime labour officials determined that crew were owed more than USD 51,000 in backpay.
Problems aboard the ship were discovered by ITF Inspector Gerard Bradbury, who explained that the crew, were not being paid or treated properly, and in particular had been shorted on the home-allotment portion of their pay that provides for families left at home while seafarers are abroad at work.
The most alarming situation aboard involved crew who had paid a total of USD6,600 in fees to obtain their jobs. Recruitment or placement fees paid to manning agents are illegal under international labour conventions. In some cases, crew were also receiving less than half the wage owed them under their labour agreement, he stated. Wage calculations are ongoing, but are expected to top USD51,000 US. Four crew have asked to be repatriated after receiving wages owed them.
Transport Canada was notified and has stepped in to detain the vessel until all wages have been taken care of and the crew have been sent home.
According to PR Newswire, the MV Kouyou was released from detention by Transport Canada over the weekend in the port ofQuebec City
