AUSTRALIAN unions are threatening further delays for a bulker in Port Adelaide allegedly underpaying their 21 crew by less than half International Trade Union Federation (ITF) rates.
The 68,000dwt Hellenic Sky arrived at Port Lincoln, South Australia, last week to load 50,000 tonnes of wheat for Iraq on behalf of Australian ABB Grain, but the ship failed surveys and was ordered to Adelaide for repairs.
ITF inspectors accuse the owners and managers, Hellenic Shipping Corporation of Greece, of keeping the crew on a rate of $840 per month.
The alleged monthly salary is about half of the ITF’s AB rate of $1765.
said the 1994-built vessel would be in port at least another week for repairs and a clean-up.
He said the ITF is currently ensuring the shipper will ‘clean up their act’ with the crew wages at the same time.
Purcell said unions had protested to the owners and were also advising government authorities.
Purcell said ABB Grain also needed to share responsibility for not ensuring conformity to international safety and labour standards.
Add a comment