Int’l Labor Group Protests Against Mutiny Case Tuna Crewff

The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) is angry over the warrant issued in the Philippines for the arrest of two officials of the Filipino Seafarers’ Union (PSU) and a maritime union leader in Papua New Guinea. The ITF said the warrant appears to be accusing officials from the seafarers’ union, an affiliate of the Associated Labor Union, of conspiracy to mutiny.

The warrant stemmed from the alleged role of the labor federation in the dispute between fish processing giant RD Tuna Ventures Inc. (RDTVI) and 200 of its fishermen who seized control of several of the firm’s shipping vessels off the coast of Papua New Guinea (PNG).

The London-based union has filed a protest with the Philippine government over what it describes as “a travesty of justice that would be almost funny if it weren't so serious”. It however failed to name the PSU officials who were included in the charge sheet.

ITF has written President Arroyo and four Cabinet secretaries to claim that the issuance of arrest warrants against ITF-affiliated union officials has cast doubts on the probity and independence of the country's legal system.

ITF General Secretary David Cockroft said: “Mutiny is one of the most serious charges there is. For it to be bandied about at the behest of RD Tuna is a bad joke. I believe that what we are seeing is an opportunistic abuse of the law by this company. Ironically this is happening at the same time as the government is pardoning military mutineers.”

According to ITF, the dispute arose after the fishermen who were not union members complained about low remuneration, bad provisions, safety concerns and repatriation. ITF officials also claimed a recent safety check by port authorities showed several defects in RD Tuna's shipping vessels. Some 196 officers and crewmembers of RD Tuna seized seven fishing vessels of the company off the coast of PNG last August 24 and cut off communications from their home base.

The dispute was finally resolved when the Department of Foreign Affairs brokered an agreement promising improved conditions and a “no reprisals” deal against the crewmembers. But late last month, police authorities arrested 10 workers of the company after five counts of mutiny were filed against them. The workers are now detained at the General Santos City Rehabilitation Center.

”Given the seriousness of the situation, the ITF has also today issued an Action Alert to ITF affiliates in the Asia-Pacific Region, and Fisheries' Section affiliates worldwide, asking them to protest to the Philippines Government,” the international labor group said in a press statement sent to a Philippine news source through electronic mail.

Cockroft, who expressed his disquiet over the charges, lambasted RD Tuna for demonstrating “so little regard for employment rights, for the rights of local people and indeed for the agreement brokered by the Philippine authorities in this case. You will no doubt be aware that the current criminal case will do little to enhance the reputation of the Philippines as a nation that protects its citizens working abroad,” he further said.

Source: Philippine Press