DOLE Assists 20 Filipino Seafarers Stranded in New South Wales

(PNA) — Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz said that 20 Filipino seafarers who have been found without food onboard Bulk Brasil, a Panamanian-registered vessel, docked at Port Kembla, New South Wales, have been paid their salaries and the vessel stocked with provisions.

Baldoz said this after Labor Attache Rodolfo Sabulao informed the Secretary about the situation of the 20 seafarers working for the vessel operated by Keymax, a Japanese company.

“As far as we are concerned, the 20 seafarers are already well, after the Australian Maritime Safety Authority ordered the detention of the vessel Bulk Brasil. They have been paid their salaries and their vessel stocked with food,” said Baldoz.

Labor Attache Sabulao earlier reported that the 20 Filipino seafarers have not been paid their salaries equivalent for four months. They have not also been fed, and the management/officers of the vessel have committed many other maritime standards violations.

The International Transport Federation (ITF), which negotiated with Keymax, called the attention of Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) after the condition of the 20 seafarers was discovered.

According to Sabulao, the POLO had contacted the Seabased Services Office of the POEA and requested Araw Manning Agency, which deployed the seafarers, to take responsibility for the plight of the seafarers.

“We also monitored the negotiations between ITF and Keymax, together with the Sydney Port authorities. We are happy the situation has been resolved,” Sabulao said. (PNA) FPV/PR/EBP