Crew members on the AG Neptune tanker had been collectively owed about $123,000, and did not have entry to applicable meals and water, authorities say.
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An oil tanker has been banned from Australian ports for six months, after authorities found crew had been owed greater than $120,000 in wages.
The Australian Maritime Security Authority acquired a grievance about seafarers’ underpayment and welfare on the Liberian-flagged AG Neptune tanker, and inspected it in Queensland’s Port of Gladstone final month.
Throughout the inspection, they discovered proof 21 seafarers weren’t having their employment agreements met, and crew members had been collectively owed about $123,000.
Moreover, authorities discovered proof seafarers’ meals and ingesting water had been less than applicable requirements of high quality, amount, and dietary worth.
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It was additionally understood one seafarer was not given enough medical care after they had been injured on board, the authority mentioned.
“Australia has zero tolerance for the underpayment of crew. This sort of behaviour is unethical and in contravention to the (Maritime Labour Conference),” the authority’s govt director of operations Michael Drake mentioned.
“The worldwide conventions that shield seafarers’ rights are very clear.
“Ships visiting Australian ports are on discover that if we discover deliberate underpaying of crew they’ll anticipate penalties.”
The authority detained the tanker over a number of breaches of the conference, and its operator has been ordered to pay the excellent wages and tackle deficiencies.
The seafarers had been repeatedly not paid at common intervals, and two crew members had expired Seafarer Employment Agreements.
“(The authority) takes the (conference) significantly and actively ensures seafarers’ well being and well-being is upheld on all ships in Australia,” Mr Drake mentioned.