Six Ukrainian seamen seeking asylum here

Six former crewmen on a Russian cargo ship detained at Waterford port have sought political asylum in Ireland.

Five of the Ukrainian crew went missing after a six-week pay dispute negotiated on their behalf by SIPTU was settled with their Moscow-based employer, Olmar Shipping, a fortnight ago.

One of the six applied in Waterford for political asylum, and it was confirmed yesterday that the other five, who are now in Dublin, have taken the same course of action.

As part of the pay deal with their employer, the men were to be flown home to Ukraine. By remaining in Ireland they gave up their right to $12,000 in back pay which Olmar Shipping had sent to Waterford in settlement of their claim. The money has been returned to the company.

A SIPTU official, Mr Tony Ayton, said yesterday the men's decision to reject the pay deal at the 11th hour and seek political asylum was based on "unsolicited advice" given to them during their time in Waterford.

"This advice was flawed," he said. "Essentially, it was that the crew members should distance themselves from the settlement terms . . . and seek asylum in Ireland." Had the International Transport Federation - through SIPTU - been allowed to handle the situation exclusively, the men would now be home with their families "with three months' wages in their back pockets". Three crew members who accepted the pay deal returned home last Wednesday.

A further seven had previously accepted a compromise solution and agreed to stay on board the ship, the MV Firyuza, which arrived in Waterford from the Ivory Coast in mid-June.

The 16 crew members originally involved in the dispute then refused to sail the vessel any further until wages, due for the previous three months, were paid.

In a letter to the ITF seeking support for their stance, the crew said that two members had attempted suicide on the passage to Waterford.

Two others had fallen ill with malaria, but the ship's medicine cabinet contained only aspirin, they claimed.

With new Russian crew members now on board, the vessel remains in Waterford while repairs, specified by the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources, which detained the ship last month, are carried out.

A spokesman for the Department said yesterday a further inspection would take place when the repairs were completed.