Employers have paid wages arrears of over €150,000 to the crew of a Russian cargo ship that has been detained at Dublin Port for over two weeks.
Representatives of the Russian agency that employs the Latvian and Russian workers met officials from the International Transport Federation (ITF) on the deck of the Merchant Brilliantthis morning.
Norfolkline Irish Sea
The ITF claimed that some workers are on duty up to 20 hours in a single shift, which poses a danger to themselves, passengers and other shipping.
The ITF said this afternoon ADG Shipping agreed to pay out €153,000 to the crew.
The ITF went to the High Court to have the ship detained after it attempted to leave Dublin Port earlier this month.
The High Court ordered the ship to be detained until the dispute was resolved. The order was
lifted this afternoon following the agreement on paying arrears.
However, the ITF later claimed ADG demanded the return of the money when the High Court order was lifted.
The ITF's Ken Fleming said ADG representatives told the crew that their seafarers' books would not be stamped unless the money was returned. "This would effectively prevent crew members from ever working again at sea," he said.
Three Latvians and five Russians have now left the ship, while 12 have opted to stay aboard and continue working.
"The behaviour of ADG was appalling", Mr Fleming said last night. "I was also very disappointed at the attitude of Norfolkline, who chartered the vessel. They lost all interest in the rights of these very vulnerable workers once the High Court order had been lifted. At least we have ensured that everyone retained their arrears, which represent the bulk of pay due to them."
In a statement, Norfolkline Irish Sea, which charters the ferry, noted the agreement between the vessel's owners, ADG Shipping, and the ITF in relation to crew wages and payment schedules.
"As the operators of the service between Dublin and Heysham, Lancashire, the company is pleased that the arrest warrant on the vessel has now been lifted, and that Norfolkline Irish Sea can again continue to service its customers who have been disadvantaged by the dispute. The company apologises for any inconvenience caused, and will be contacting customers to give them assurances regarding future continuity of service," the statement said.
"Norfolkline Irish Sea has been deeply concerned at the situation and disputes that have occurred in relation to crew wages on both the Merchant Braveryat the beginning of December and latterly the situation on board the Merchant Brilliant. The company has worked closely with both the ITF and with the vessel owners to bring about an early resolution to the matter."
The company said it would instigate regular checks and audits to ensure that agreements and arrangements made in good faith are adhered to "by all stakeholders in the important business of moving freight across the Irish Sea in a safe, efficient and professional manner".
The vessel is a sister ship of the Merchant Bravery, which was involved in a similar controversy earlier this month when its crew members were found to be owed similar amounts of money. Both vessels provide a roll-on roll-off freight service between Dublin and Heysham in Lancashire.