100 seafarers eye charges vs manning agency

ALMOST 100 seafarers are looking to file charges against their manning agency due to alleged violations of labor rules during their stint in vessels plying the Indian Ocean.

In a social media post, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said the seafarers complained against Buwan Tala Manning Inc. over various issues including “non-payment of wages, incorrect wage payments, poor working conditions, irregular work hours, and allegedly being fed ‘expired’ food.”

The DMW said lawyer Geraldine Mendez, chief of the Migrant Workers Protection Bureau (MWPB), is guiding the seafarers in filing their statements.

“Their statements will later form the basis for filing complaints and claims from the manning agency,” said the DMW. – Gerard Naval