Sailors treated like 'slaves', suing recruiters
Crewmen describe maltreatment on Taiwanese fishing vessels
One of the plaintiffs shows his injuries (photo courtesy of Migrante)
- ucanews.com reporters, Manila
- Philippines
- July 14, 2012
Citing physical abuse and breach of contract, 12 sailors are suing the recruitment agency that placed them on two Taiwan-based fishing boats, workers rights group Migrante International said today.
The sailors have filed cases before the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and the National Labor Relations Commission against JMP Polaris Navigation Inc, demanding the suspension of the agency and the release of back wages and benefits.
In accounts they posted on the Migrante website, the workers said they were promised a US$350 monthly salary on top of a $105 fixed overtime pay and a separate monthly food allowance.
“But before we left they made us sign a new contract lowering our monthly salary to $250 for a fixed two-year contract,” they said.
“We were made to pay 2,000 pesos ($47) to 2,500 pesos for our medical examination. Apart from this, they charged us 15,000 pesos for processing and placement fees."
The workers applied to work as deck hands, mess men and engine assistants but were employed as fishermen instead, they said. They were sent to work for two Taiwan-based companies, Meng Hao Fishery Co. Ltd. and Meng Hao Fishery Co. Ltd.
“They made us work like slaves. We had poor accommodation and had no sufficient food or water,” said June Parina, who was sent to work with Jui Wun Fishery Co. Ltd.
Parina said he was attacked by four Vietnamese shipmates on April 15. He sustained stab wounds to the head, back and face.
“There were no medical facilities inside the ship. They did not give me medicine. Ship authorities promised to give me medical treatment but I received none,” he said.
He said he did not get medical attention until the ship docked in Taiwan. He said he was only able to get home with the help of his father, who paid the JMP Polaris Navigation Inc $1,000.
Workers on the other ship, owned by Meng Hao Fishery Co. Ltd., were repatriated after calling authorities in Singapore.
Felizardo Herrera Tono Jr. claimed he was attacked by Indonesian shipmates on April 14. “I almost died because of my injuries. I lost so much blood,” he said.
The incident was reported to the ship's captain, “but instead of stopping at the nearest port, we went on fishing. Because of my insistence, the captain finally relented and stitched me himself.”
Another sailor on the vessel, Mark Hinola, decided to call 911 when their ship neared Singapore. “I told the operator we were being maltreated. He then referred me to the Singapore coast guard who immediately rescued us.”
Hinola said he suspects the recruiting agency conspired with the Taiwanese company, which threatened to have the men jailed in Taiwan if they did not sign a resignation letter.
Garry Martinez, head of Migrante International, said his organization is also looking into the possibility of filing administrative and criminal charges against JMP Polaris Navigation Inc.
The sailors have filed cases before the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and the National Labor Relations Commission against JMP Polaris Navigation Inc, demanding the suspension of the agency and the release of back wages and benefits.
In accounts they posted on the Migrante website, the workers said they were promised a US$350 monthly salary on top of a $105 fixed overtime pay and a separate monthly food allowance.
“But before we left they made us sign a new contract lowering our monthly salary to $250 for a fixed two-year contract,” they said.
“We were made to pay 2,000 pesos ($47) to 2,500 pesos for our medical examination. Apart from this, they charged us 15,000 pesos for processing and placement fees."
The workers applied to work as deck hands, mess men and engine assistants but were employed as fishermen instead, they said. They were sent to work for two Taiwan-based companies, Meng Hao Fishery Co. Ltd. and Meng Hao Fishery Co. Ltd.
“They made us work like slaves. We had poor accommodation and had no sufficient food or water,” said June Parina, who was sent to work with Jui Wun Fishery Co. Ltd.
Parina said he was attacked by four Vietnamese shipmates on April 15. He sustained stab wounds to the head, back and face.
“There were no medical facilities inside the ship. They did not give me medicine. Ship authorities promised to give me medical treatment but I received none,” he said.
He said he did not get medical attention until the ship docked in Taiwan. He said he was only able to get home with the help of his father, who paid the JMP Polaris Navigation Inc $1,000.
Workers on the other ship, owned by Meng Hao Fishery Co. Ltd., were repatriated after calling authorities in Singapore.
Felizardo Herrera Tono Jr. claimed he was attacked by Indonesian shipmates on April 14. “I almost died because of my injuries. I lost so much blood,” he said.
The incident was reported to the ship's captain, “but instead of stopping at the nearest port, we went on fishing. Because of my insistence, the captain finally relented and stitched me himself.”
Another sailor on the vessel, Mark Hinola, decided to call 911 when their ship neared Singapore. “I told the operator we were being maltreated. He then referred me to the Singapore coast guard who immediately rescued us.”
Hinola said he suspects the recruiting agency conspired with the Taiwanese company, which threatened to have the men jailed in Taiwan if they did not sign a resignation letter.
Garry Martinez, head of Migrante International, said his organization is also looking into the possibility of filing administrative and criminal charges against JMP Polaris Navigation Inc.
