Jobless seafarers protest

A group of Australian seafarers protested last week against the return 
to Australia of the CSL shipping company's vessel Stadacona.

The Stadacona, formerly named the CSL Yarra, was at the 
centre of a dispute with maritime unions in May when the ship's Australian 
registration was transferred to the Bahamas and its Australian crew was 
replaced by Ukrainian seafarers.

Evidence given to the Federal Court in April stated that the Ukrainian 
seafarers' wages were $19,600 a year compared to $52,100 a year for 
Australians.

The Stadacona is carrying cement materials for the Queensland Cement 
Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Swiss-based multinational Holcim Ltd.

ACTU President Sharan Burrow said unions wanted Australian companies to 
stand up for Australian jobs by supporting shipping companies that employ 
Australian seafarers and comply with Australian wage, tax, safety, 
environment and immigration laws.

Australia's merchant shipping industry is being wiped out by the Howard 
Government's policy of allowing flag-of-convenience ships such as the 
Stadacona onto domestic trading routes.

"Federal Transport Minister John Anderson could solve the problem by 
refusing to issue voyage permits to flag-of-convenience ships, which do not 
have to pay Australian wages or taxes while working in Australia", said Ms 
Burrow.