Solidarity with 240 Moroccan seamen stranded in Sète
Three ferries sailing from Tangier were seized on 6 January due to the debts of their company.240 Moroccan seamen, including some women,are stranded on the car-ferry they can not leave,or they risk losing their salary arrears.The cold, confinement and isolation from their families is worsening their plight.
Source : https://www.marocafrik.com/english/Solidarity-with...
"The hardest thing is for our families. We men, we can hold on. But in Morocco, our children and women no longer have a penny, "said the sailor of 49 years. Mechanics, bartenders, hostesses, lieutenants, housekeepers, cooks, they are more than 240 Moroccan seamen, including twenty women, prisoners of a Moroccan car-ferry in Sète from January 6, 2012, reports La Croix.com
That day, the Commercial Court of Montpellier seized three boats from their employer, the shipping company Comarit (former Comanav), which were docked in the port of Herault, to guarantee the debts of the private Moroccan company. The ten other buildings in the Comarit were also seized in various Mediterranean ports. In total, debts of more than 60 million euros have not not honored by the shipping line based in Tangier, particularly with suppliers of diesel.
These seamen, including officers, have not been paid for three months or five months for some. It is out of the question for these Moroccan citizens to leave the ships to return home. This would amount to a "dereliction of duty" in maritime law, that is to say to a resignation. They would lose the right to obtain their back wages and benefits. Only those who have more than three years seniority are allowed to make short stops ashore.
No shower or heating.
On board three ships, the situation changes every day depending on the level of supply of gas oil. Without this fuel, there is no electricity, no heating, no fridge, no hot or cold water. Some sailors were unable to shower for ten days. On the Banu N'sar, it is very cold. Within the centre of the ship in the common room that serves as living room come dining room, the men wear hats. Some bundle up in blankets.
"The company does not let us down, Herve Parage the commander says. Yesterday we were delivered diesel for two weeks. You should know that this line is commercially viable with nearly 250,000 passengers a year. "The ship, however, docked since December 4, 2011 because of slow activity".
On the Marrakesh, the mood is quite different. Seven women were among the 96 sailors. The painter from Sète, Vivi Navarro is the only "foreigner" who is on board. During her journey from Tangier to Sète in December 2009, she has indeed forged strong links with the crew and working aboard Biladi, on a travel book published by Editions Singulières.
Powerless
For the last month and a half, she is working every day to help the crew. "A sailor never leaves someone in distress," says one who lives a stone's throw from the harbor. Around her, the entire port community is mobilized to provide food and clothing. The city of Sète has opened its free suite showers. As for the Seamen's Club, an association founded in 1991 by the priest Julian Garcia opens its doors every night with seamen, it is currently mobilized 24 /24 hours to accommodate the sailors of the Comarit.
"Some men cry because they feel helpless, unable to make a difference. In our culture, it means a lot, "says one of them, aged 24 and working on Marrakech. Like most sailors, he wishes to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals from the company. "They could be blacklisted and find themselves without work upon returning to Morocco," explained Brigitte and Bertrand Castro, 72 and 73 years, volunteers of the Seamen's Club.
On Tuesday, January 31, the team from the Consulate of Morocco came on board. "They assured us that the Moroccan government was concerned about us," say the sailors of Bni N'sar. Usually so discreet and unlikely to get noticed, they are now considering, worried and tired, whether to demonstrate for their rights.
That day, the Commercial Court of Montpellier seized three boats from their employer, the shipping company Comarit (former Comanav), which were docked in the port of Herault, to guarantee the debts of the private Moroccan company. The ten other buildings in the Comarit were also seized in various Mediterranean ports. In total, debts of more than 60 million euros have not not honored by the shipping line based in Tangier, particularly with suppliers of diesel.
These seamen, including officers, have not been paid for three months or five months for some. It is out of the question for these Moroccan citizens to leave the ships to return home. This would amount to a "dereliction of duty" in maritime law, that is to say to a resignation. They would lose the right to obtain their back wages and benefits. Only those who have more than three years seniority are allowed to make short stops ashore.
No shower or heating.
On board three ships, the situation changes every day depending on the level of supply of gas oil. Without this fuel, there is no electricity, no heating, no fridge, no hot or cold water. Some sailors were unable to shower for ten days. On the Banu N'sar, it is very cold. Within the centre of the ship in the common room that serves as living room come dining room, the men wear hats. Some bundle up in blankets.
"The company does not let us down, Herve Parage the commander says. Yesterday we were delivered diesel for two weeks. You should know that this line is commercially viable with nearly 250,000 passengers a year. "The ship, however, docked since December 4, 2011 because of slow activity".
On the Marrakesh, the mood is quite different. Seven women were among the 96 sailors. The painter from Sète, Vivi Navarro is the only "foreigner" who is on board. During her journey from Tangier to Sète in December 2009, she has indeed forged strong links with the crew and working aboard Biladi, on a travel book published by Editions Singulières.
Powerless
For the last month and a half, she is working every day to help the crew. "A sailor never leaves someone in distress," says one who lives a stone's throw from the harbor. Around her, the entire port community is mobilized to provide food and clothing. The city of Sète has opened its free suite showers. As for the Seamen's Club, an association founded in 1991 by the priest Julian Garcia opens its doors every night with seamen, it is currently mobilized 24 /24 hours to accommodate the sailors of the Comarit.
"Some men cry because they feel helpless, unable to make a difference. In our culture, it means a lot, "says one of them, aged 24 and working on Marrakech. Like most sailors, he wishes to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals from the company. "They could be blacklisted and find themselves without work upon returning to Morocco," explained Brigitte and Bertrand Castro, 72 and 73 years, volunteers of the Seamen's Club.
On Tuesday, January 31, the team from the Consulate of Morocco came on board. "They assured us that the Moroccan government was concerned about us," say the sailors of Bni N'sar. Usually so discreet and unlikely to get noticed, they are now considering, worried and tired, whether to demonstrate for their rights.
Source : https://www.marocafrik.com/english/Solidarity-with...