The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has raised serious allegations against Middle East Marine LLC, a Dubai-based shipping company, claiming systematic abuse and neglect of over 100 seafarers. The ITF describes this situation as the worst instance of serial seafarer abandonment ever recorded, marking it as a disgraceful episode in global maritime operations.
The federation has called upon the governments of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Palau maritime authorities to take immediate action. They are urged to enforce international maritime and human rights laws to support the seafarers who find themselves in dire circumstances. Since November 2022, the ITF has documented more than 17 cases of abandonment involving 18 vessels owned by Middle East Marine LLC.
The conditions reported are alarming and indicate significant violations of human and labor rights. The seafarers, primarily from India, Indonesia, and Myanmar, are alleged to be living in inhumane conditions. Reports reveal issues such as lack of access to clean drinking water and food scarcity. In addition, the workers face severe restrictions, including the withholding of their passports, denial of medical supplies, and refusal of hospital visits for sick crew members. Compounding their plight, many of the seafarers have not received their salaries, further deepening their vulnerabilities.
The ITF’s intervention highlights the urgent need for responsible oversight within the maritime industry to protect the welfare of seafarers and uphold ethical standards. The situation underscores the ongoing challenges faced by maritime workers, who are often at the mercy of corporate practices that neglect their human rights and well-being.
