Flag of Convenience Vessel an Eye-Sore at the Port of Sorel
MONTREAL, Aug. 21, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - Seafarers' International Union of Canada (S.I.U), the most important sailors' union in Canada, representing the majority of unlicensed sailors working aboard vessels across Canada, today announced that it has donated funds to the crew via the SIU/ITF Inspector to aid the twelve Turkish sailors aboard the Panamanian flagged vessel, the Phoenix Sun.
The Phoenix Sun has been docked in Sorel, Quebec, for the last two years. It has become such an eye-sore for residents that they recently signed a petition for its removal. The Turkish crew was flown in to Sorel to help restore the vessel to sailing condition so that its owners could remove it. Since arriving in Sorel, the twelve Turkish sailors have been left without wages. To worsen matters, they are now without food. ITF Inspector Vince Giannopoulos and Transport Canada are currently working to ensure that these sailors are paid their wages and that they are given flights home as soon as possible. "I have had the honor to meet these men on a few occasions now, and I commend them for their perseverance during this challenging time," said Vince Giannopoulos, ITF Inspector.
In the meantime, the S.I.U. of Canada has donated money for food via the ITF/SIU Inspector so that these men can eat. "Our brother sailors from Turkey came onboard this Flag of Convenience vessel to work and earn a living- to be left without food is barbaric and beyond comprehension," said James Given, President, S.I.U. of Canada. "The S.I.U. of Canada works closely with the ITF to ensure that our Brothers and Sisters are not exploited and that their basic human rights are met."
About the Seafarers' International Union of Canada: A Sailors' Union by Sailors for the benefit of Sailors. The Seafarers' International Union of Canada has been serving unlicensed seafarers since 1938 and is affiliated with the Seafarers' International Union of North America, presently representing 60,000 unlicensed seafarers across the continent. The most important sailors' union in Canada, the Seafarers' International Union, better known as the S.I.U., represents the majority of unlicensed sailors working aboard vessels on the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence River, on the East Coast and the West Coast and in the Arctic. In addition to vessels operated in Canadian waters, S.I.U. members also have the opportunity to work aboard vessels delivering cargoes in the United States, Europe and South America.
SOURCE: Seafarers' International Union of Canada
Verena Garofalo
Director, Marketing & Public Relations
Seafarers' International Union of Canada
T: 1-514-830-7391
E: [email protected]
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