On the occasion the 12th "Day of the Seafarer" (June 25), Guangzhou Maritime Court (GZMC) distributed over 3 million RMB of unpaid wages for the attorney of 15 foreign crews from Greece and Philippines of the Vessel of Angelic Power on June 23. It is to salute seafarers through the implementation of judgment.
(Photo by Qin Shaolong)
A Greek ship Angelic Power was detained by GZMC due to debt disputes on April 16, 2021. The shipowner was required to provide guarantees before the ship left Guangzhou Port. However, the shipowner abandoned the ship with exhausted materials, food and fresh water, that undermined the health of 15 crew members on that ship.
According to the Court, it has consulted all creditors involved in this case by law to distribute the salaries from the auction of the vessel. That is to protect their interests as much as possible in terms of difficulties brought by the pandemic and the fluctuation of shipping market.
The on-site implementation of maritime judgment indicates that China's maritime courts is making efforts to create a preferred choice for maritime dispute resolution, and shows the ability and determination to maintain an orderly shipping market, to equally protect the legitimate rights of foreign seafarers and the underprivileged, said Wang Yufei, Vice President of GZMC.
After being asked for help from the crews, GZMC had worked with relevant departments and adopted a series of measures to resolve their survival dilemma.
(Photo provided to newsgd.com)
GZMC provided help for those crews including sending professional repairers for the ship's maintenance, to offer oil, daily supplies and common medicines for their living, and offer litigation guidance for foreign crews, said Deng Jinbiao, Deputy Chief Judge of the Maritime Administrative Division of GZMC.
"From February 2021, the vessel was abandoned by the shipowner while leaving crews unpaid, we stayed there without food, without support, without supplies. But thanks to the efforts of GZMC, they gave us the opportunity to survive, to be saved," said Syrianos via a video link, who is former captain of Angelic Power.
In July 2021, the crews finally left the ship and boarded plane to return home. Later in October 2021, the ship was auctioned off 64 million RMB, with priority is given to pay the crews' salaries.
In GZMC's concluded cases involving disputes over foreign seafarers' labor contracts since 2020, they all received compensation for their wage claims.
Author: Will
Video: Qin Shaolong
Editor: Wing, Nan, Jerry
