(San Antonio, Chile) A stern warning was issued to a ship owner yesterday, when crew from the ITF vessel GLOBAL MARINER joined forces with Chilean port unions. The action was taken to force the owner of the targeted vessel, the EPIC, to pay outstanding wages to the crew.
The Cypriot-flagged EPIC (beneficially owned by Norfolk Shiptrading SA, Greece) was in San Antonio taking on a cargo of rice. Although the owner of the vessel had an agreement with the ITF guaranteeing a minimum wage for the crew, an inspection by Chilean ITF inspectors revealed that this agreement was being ignored. Some of the Greek officers were being paid the full amount, while many of the Filipino crew-members were getting only 50% (or less) of the wages they were entitled to.
On request, the owners confirmed that there was an ITF agreement in place but did not mention any payment of the outstanding wages of approximately $80,000. A delegation from the GLOBAL MARINER, led by the local ITF inspector, and the heads of various Chilean maritime and port unions, went to the ship shortly after midday on 27th January, again requesting the payment of outstanding wages.
At about 3pm, using new style tactics, the ITF ship launched a fast rescue craft, which put a cordon of orange buoys around the EPIC with the help of two fishing vessels. On shore, dockers loading the ship stopped work, and union representatives and crew-members from the GLOBAL MARINER protested on the quayside. Maritime police arrived on the scene and requested that the dockers resume work immediately to ensure that the ship would be able to sail as scheduled, early on the 28th.
It was then agreed that the ITF inspector would discuss the wage claims that they had calculated for the EPIC crew, and the dockers would continue loading the ship. However, the dockers were prepared to stop work again should the outcome of the discussions be unsatisfactory.
The ITF received written assurances from the Captain, on behalf of the owners, that the money would be paid to the crew on arrival Iquique.
This was accepted, as the GLOBAL MARINER will be following the EPIC to Iquique, and further action will be taken on behalf of the crew if necessary.
The maritime authorities in San Antonio announced that there would be a full inspection of the EPIC by Port State Control before it left port.
It is believed that the vessel has engine problems although it appears to be sound on deck.
Digital pictures and video in BETACAM PAL or VHS PAL are available on request. For more information, tel: Ulrich Juergens (English/German speaking), or Miren del Olmo (English/ Spanish speaking) in Chile +56 9 323 8040, or (satellite phone) +870 3232 55910.
