Choosing carefully
2004
I am one of the many Filipino youths who aspire to become a seafarer to enhance my way of life. After graduation I immediately applied to several crewing agencies in order to get hired as quickly as possible.
Studying hard brought results and I passed the entry exams of three companies. Offered chance of promotion after two years of cadetship, I chose the Phil Hanse Shipping Agency which is under the management of Hanseatic Shipping Company of Cyprus. But there was a catch: I had to pay my air fare to Cyprus and the cost of my training, though the company claimed it would refund the cost.
This was not the only piece of exploitation I suffered on the part of Hanseatic. Upon signing on a ship as a trainee I was forced to work long hours, thus undermining the contract I had signed. This contract made clear that I was not required to work overtime as a trainee, yet in reality I worked 48 hours a week and an average of 120 hours overtime in a month. Senior officers of the ship made me work the hours that suited them. Despite working additional hours no extra payment was made.
To add insult to my grievance, my complaints have been construed as insubordination and will result to a bad record and dismissal. With such a record back home it will be very difficult to find employment as a seafarer.
My advice to new graduates is to avoid manning agencies and companies under the management of Hansetic Shipping Agency.
“H24”, Silang, Philippines
Helped after our capture
We the crew members of the Jenlil were captured by pirates in July 2002 off the coast of Somalia. Because of the difficult social conditions in Georgia we had to apply for work with a company where the the pay and conditions did not match international standards.
As we were not members of trade union we found ourselves in a tight corner, even though Anatoly Chijavadze, the head of the Maritime Trade Union of Georgia, and his deputy, David Morgoshia immediately responded to the call for help by our families. They helped not only to keep in touch with Georgia but also took measures to have us released from from captivity.
As soon as we were eventually released the union arranged our medical examination at the Seafarers’ Hospital at Batumi. We would like to thank warmly all the medical staff at the hospital and the chief doctor, Kirkava Jemali.
Finally we would like to express our gratitude to the officers of the Maritime Trade Union of Georgia for their assistance and we call on all seafarers to join their trade union in order to help avoid the desperate situation in which we found ourselves.
Crew members, Jenlil
ITF won justice for me
I have read Seafarers’ Bulletin and its reports of successful actions by crews. But these reports always refer to cases in which the whole crew participates. I am writing to say thank you to the ITF, because when I alone requested help in Germany from the ITF Inspector in Hamburg, Ulf Christiansen, I didn’t believe victory was possible.
I had been working since 1998 as an AB/cook for a Danish company on a ship on the DIS Danish second register. Before arrival in Hamburg I suggested to the captain that we needed some fresh food. He promptly dismissed me without giving any reason or compensation.
It was a great shock for me. At home I had a wife and children with bank bills to pay for gas, electricity and other essentials. In desperation I made a phone call to Ulf Christiansen. For two days he fought “like a lion”. This made me feel better after the arrogant and unkind way that the captain had behaved. Then came the day of victory! I received compensation plus a ticket home.
I now know that the ITF stands for justice. You are great and I thank you.
JP, Stargard, Poland
I am one of the many Filipino youths who aspire to become a seafarer to enhance my way of life. After graduation I immediately applied to several crewing agencies in order to get hired as quickly as possible.
Studying hard brought results and I passed the entry exams of three companies. Offered chance of promotion after two years of cadetship, I chose the Phil Hanse Shipping Agency which is under the management of Hanseatic Shipping Company of Cyprus. But there was a catch: I had to pay my air fare to Cyprus and the cost of my training, though the company claimed it would refund the cost.
This was not the only piece of exploitation I suffered on the part of Hanseatic. Upon signing on a ship as a trainee I was forced to work long hours, thus undermining the contract I had signed. This contract made clear that I was not required to work overtime as a trainee, yet in reality I worked 48 hours a week and an average of 120 hours overtime in a month. Senior officers of the ship made me work the hours that suited them. Despite working additional hours no extra payment was made.
To add insult to my grievance, my complaints have been construed as insubordination and will result to a bad record and dismissal. With such a record back home it will be very difficult to find employment as a seafarer.
My advice to new graduates is to avoid manning agencies and companies under the management of Hansetic Shipping Agency.
“H24”, Silang, Philippines
Helped after our capture
We the crew members of the Jenlil were captured by pirates in July 2002 off the coast of Somalia. Because of the difficult social conditions in Georgia we had to apply for work with a company where the the pay and conditions did not match international standards.
As we were not members of trade union we found ourselves in a tight corner, even though Anatoly Chijavadze, the head of the Maritime Trade Union of Georgia, and his deputy, David Morgoshia immediately responded to the call for help by our families. They helped not only to keep in touch with Georgia but also took measures to have us released from from captivity.
As soon as we were eventually released the union arranged our medical examination at the Seafarers’ Hospital at Batumi. We would like to thank warmly all the medical staff at the hospital and the chief doctor, Kirkava Jemali.
Finally we would like to express our gratitude to the officers of the Maritime Trade Union of Georgia for their assistance and we call on all seafarers to join their trade union in order to help avoid the desperate situation in which we found ourselves.
Crew members, Jenlil
ITF won justice for me
I have read Seafarers’ Bulletin and its reports of successful actions by crews. But these reports always refer to cases in which the whole crew participates. I am writing to say thank you to the ITF, because when I alone requested help in Germany from the ITF Inspector in Hamburg, Ulf Christiansen, I didn’t believe victory was possible.
I had been working since 1998 as an AB/cook for a Danish company on a ship on the DIS Danish second register. Before arrival in Hamburg I suggested to the captain that we needed some fresh food. He promptly dismissed me without giving any reason or compensation.
It was a great shock for me. At home I had a wife and children with bank bills to pay for gas, electricity and other essentials. In desperation I made a phone call to Ulf Christiansen. For two days he fought “like a lion”. This made me feel better after the arrogant and unkind way that the captain had behaved. Then came the day of victory! I received compensation plus a ticket home.
I now know that the ITF stands for justice. You are great and I thank you.
JP, Stargard, Poland