Stranded Sailor in Scotland Speaks Out Over Pay Row

One of 14 sailors stranded in Scotland because they have not been paid in four months has spoken out about the ordeal.

Indian shipping giant GOL Offshore reportedly owes the crew of the Malaviya Seven about £80,000.


The offshore supply vessel was detained by the authorities in Aberdeen last month and cannot leave until the money is paid.

One sailor, who asked not to be identified, said members of the vessel's crew have been forced to take out loans to support their families.

He said: "I have been aboard for the last six months and I haven't been paid since two months after I joined.

"We are getting some support from the company but no information or news about what is happening to us.

"People expected to stay aboard for two or three months and it's now been as much as eight months for some people. It's very detrimental to their mental state.

"We're hoping to leave before New Year but we expect to be here for at least another month before this is resolved."

More than £1.1m of unpaid wages was owed to seafarers serving aboard foreign-flagged vessels in Scotland since January, according to the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF).

Seafarers aboard a third of the non-UK vessels inspected in Scotland with ties to the oil industry were due money, the ITF said.

"Almost all of the people aboard the Malaviya Seven are married and have children," the crewman said.

"They've taken loans from their friends and families and some are paying interest, even though they won't get their wages back with interest. I don't know how they are managing."

UK employment law makes it legal for companies like GOL Offshore to pay foreign seafarers less than the minimum wage.

"In India there are many new officers like me and just getting a job is enough for them, they're not concerned about salary," the crewman said.

"But in the last six months I've seen the culture of the UK and I now agree that wherever we work we should be paid accordingly."

Foreign-flagged vessels are contracted to North Sea oil and gas firms through shipbrokers in Britain but it is legal to pay crew less than the minimum wage of £6.70 an hour if they are recruited overseas.

Earlier this month, UK transport minister John Hayes pledged to review the legislation.


Source: Global update


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