PHILIPPINES - UK – GERMANY – In an incredible story the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) tell us that a case in which they had become involved has taken yet another bizarre twist with a container ships crew being robbed of their wages not once or twice but THREE times. Earlier this month a routine inspection of the freighter, the Gibraltar flagged Philipp, apparently revealed evidence of a double book keeping scam showing that crew had received into their banks $230,000 less than the amount shown as being paid in wages.
Liverpool based ITF inspector Tommy Molloy confronted the operators, Vega Friedrich Dauber GMBH & Co KG and its subsidiary, Vega Manila Crew Management Incorporated who agreed to hand over the shortfall at the port on the 4th October.
According to the ITF a company representative, Mr Vicente Fedelicio of Vega Crewing in the Philippines, stayed aboard the vessel on the night of the 3rd October intending to relieve the crew of the wages after they received them. His presence was allegedly recorded in the ships day book, but, after accusations of interference were made, the relevant page ‘disappeared’. Vega Friedrich Dauber GMBH & Co KG itself appears to be a subsidiary of Vega Reederei GmBH of Hamburg and a Captain Meyn from this company apparently signed an indemnity stating the crew would not be interfered with.
Molloy was suspicious and latterly returned to the ship accompanied by port Police to find the company representative had taken back the wages. The crew, who earlier had been delighted to receive the money, now told Molloy they had returned the money voluntarily albeit whilst showing signs of stress. After the intervention of the Gibraltar register the money was eventually returned to the crew some two weeks later payment being overseen by the ITF and witnessed by UK Port State Control (MCA) on behalf of the Gibraltar Register.
Now the ITF say they have eye witness reports that on arrival in Manila seven of the crew were effectively kidnapped after being ambushed at the airport, bundled into two vans, taken to crewing agent Vega Crew Management’s office and the money taken from them under duress. Only one crew member, who had left the airport by a different exit, escaped.
It would appear that, if the reports are true and we have no reason to think otherwise, the agency has been operating a classic double entry scam allowing them to launder money by declaring it paid to the crew whilst pocketing the difference and thus avoiding any taxes. Obviously they would have allowed for the balance in their profits and the thought of the crew walking away with more than they originally contracted for obviously must have proved too much.
Tommy Molly summed up the situation thus:
"Someone told me yesterday that he had been in this business for more than 30 years and thought he had seen it all. He was surprised to discover that he still had the capacity to be shocked and appalled at the treatment meted out to some seafarers.”
Vega Crew Management Incorporated state on their website that they are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and duly licensed by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA). Doubtless the ITF will be handing over their case files to the appropriate authorities.
Photo: Vega Crew Management promotional shot.
