20 November 2009, 23:30
In Novorossisk Port, Ukrainian seamen go on demanding their salary
The crew members of the Greek tanker "Thelema Т", now in the roads (off-harbour) in the vicinity of the city of Novorossisk, Krasnodar Territory, continue to fight for their salary debts and refuse coming ashore. The employer company promises to square up with the Ukrainian seamen on November 26.
The tanker is there since August 1. On November 8, 18 its crew members went on an endless hunger strike in protest against non-payment of their due salary; however, on November 13 the seamen announced a temporary} suspension of their hunger strike.
The seamen explained the decision by worsening of their health condition and by the promise of the ship owner to pay the salary in full on that very day. However, according to Olga Ananyina, inspector of the International Federation of Transport Workers in Novorossisk, the ship-owning company has not settled Ukrainians' accounts yet.
"In October, the company paid its debts for July, August and September and dismissed the captain and two senior mechanics. The other members of the Ukrainian crew are still waiting for their money in Novorossisk. Earlier, the company said that it would dismiss the Ukrainian crew and send the Rumanian one instead. The latter arrived; as now the ship houses both Ukrainians, newly arrived Rumanians and remaining Filipinos, 37 person in total," Ms Ananyina told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent on November 19.
Author: Albina Astakhova Source: CK correspondent
