Shipping Operator To Comment After Commission Probe

A local shipping operator says it will make a statement once the investigation by the relevant authority is complete regarding allegations of human rights breaches of its Filipino workers.

The operator is being investigated by the Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission.

It is claimed that the seven Filipino seafarers are currently stuck here with no pay and provision of food and medical care.

Commission director Ashwin Raj said the Filipino seafarers have also raised serious concerns with the commission about the safety of the vessels they were onboard.

“Crew members alleging that the vessel had old equipment which were not working such as the radar on the ship, echo sounder used to measure depth of water, fire extinguishers had expired on some ships and there were times ships were overloaded with passengers,” Mr Raj said.

“The crew had raised these safety breaches with the shipping company which was simply ignored.

“This certainly needs to be thoroughly investigated by the relevant authorities.”

The International Transport Workers’ Federation and some local well-wishers are providing financial and legal support to the seafarers.

“The commission is working closely with the Anti-Trafficking Unit of the Fiji Police Force, Department of Immigration, and Ministry of Employment on this matter,” he said.

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