Moroccan dockers strike for stranded seafarers

10 May 2012

Moroccan dockers strike for stranded seafarers

Dockers in Moroccan ports will strike tomorrow in solidarity with seafarers stranded after the virtual cessation of operations by the country’s Comarit/Comanav Ferry company.

The strike has been called by the Union Marocaine du Travail (UMT), a member of the ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation), and will run from 07:00 to 15:00 tomorrow 11 May to protest at the indifference of the country’s maritime affairs administration - the Direction General de la Marine Marchande – to the seafarers’ plight. Last week Comarit employees rallied at the ministry, but it has continued to fail to act on behalf of the seafarers stranded in Spain, France and Morocco. The port of Tangiers will not be affected by tomorrow’s strike, as it does not fall under the ministry’s aegis.

ITF dockers’ section secretary Frank Leys commented: “This is a great example of dockers working together with seafarers – who have been left abandoned and unpaid. This action will further highlight the dire need for immediate action by the government.“

The ITF and UMT are assisting the stranded crews.

ENDS

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