Indian Seafarers Remains The Most Abandoned In The World, Says International Report (Representational image)
According to data obtained from the International Transport Workers (ITF), the Indian sailors are the most abandoned in the world. This is the second time in a row, India topping the list. Reportedly, in less than six months, over 411, Indian sailors are already abandoned on ships. Of all the seafarers that was abandoned in the world, over one-fourth are Indians.
As per The Times of India (TOI) report, a total of 116 ships and 1,672 seafarers in total have been abandoned so far this year. The figure is higher than last year, during which 129 vessels and 1,983 seafarers were abandoned.
The abandoned seafarers refers to the situation where owner of the ship fails to cover the cost of the seafarers” repatriation to their home countries, leaving them behind without maintenance and support, or cutting ties with the sailors entirely, which also means not paying the contractual wages and salaries for a period of at least two months, as per the Maritime Labour Convention of 2006.
The London-based ITF cites the instance of two vessels that was abandoned in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Both ships are owned by the UAE-owned AIM Global Shipping & Fuel Supply. According to the report, 16 seafarers in the two vessels were left behind without any salary for months now.
These 16 seafarers do not have any air-conditioning facilities, and are running low on supplies. Six of the sailors are stranded in Sharjah and are owed $40,000 unpaid dues. 10 others are owed $35,000, said the report. These seafarers are stranded on vessels named “Seashine 7” and “Sunshine 7” respectively. The ships bear a Tanzanian flag, and has no air conditioner or refrigerator. Generators can be used only for one hour a day. The sailors are sleeping on the deck since its too hot to sleep inside the cabins. The ITF is currently holding a dialogue with the owner of the ships.
Talking to TOI, ITF official Steve Trowsdale said that Indian agents supplying seafarers to shipping companies are among the worst in the world. “Indian crewing agents are among the worst for sending seafarers just to be abandoned”, said Trowsdale.
