ITF Recovers $250,000 In Unpaid Wages For Abandoned Seafarers’ In Las Palmas

A total of $250,000 in back wages has been recovered for 37 Russian and Ukrainian fishers who were abandoned aboard the Hunter vessel in Las Palmas, where they went unpaid for up to seven months.

Trapped on the ship and facing prolonged uncertainty, the crew finally sought help from the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF).

In March 2022, after the shipowner ceased communication, the ITF secured legal representation for the stranded fishers. The Hunter vessel was subsequently arrested, officially declared abandoned, and later sold at auction to facilitate the recovery of the owed wages.

According to a post on Meta , the ITF Seafarers Trust also stepped in to provide emergency financial assistance to help the fishers return home and covered urgent medical expenses for a crew member injured while working aboard the ship.

The ITF continues to call on governments, flag states, and the fishing industry to implement stronger, enforceable measures to prevent abandonment, safeguard workers’ rights, and hold irresponsible shipowners accountable.

Stephen Cotton, ITF General Secretary, emphasized the importance of fair treatment for seafarers during his advocacy at the International Maritime Organization (IMO). In partnership with the International Labour Organization and the International Chamber of Shipping, Cotton pledged to combat the criminalization of seafarers and ensure that human rights due diligence is upheld throughout maritime supply chains.

This case highlights ongoing challenges faced by seafarers worldwide and underscores the critical need for international cooperation to protect vulnerable maritime workers.