Russian crew protest non-payment of wages

In Britain, Russian crew of a Latvian owned ship, Merchant Brilliant, have barricaded themselves in their cabins protesting against their employer who owes them 150,000 euros in back pay.

This sum, however, has been reduced after negotiations with company managers.

An International Transport Workers Federation official on board the ship claims, some of the crew have been intimidated and no longer believe the company is ever going to pay them.

Another ITF official Sam Dawson says, the ship's owner is expected onboard to try to resolve the dispute.

‘At the moment the crew still haven’t been paid the promised money but it looks like some kind of deal has been struck to pay the back wages. However, both the crew and others on board are saying that there is a lot of promises being made and not being honoured. They are doubtful about the sincerity of the ship managers. Everyone is hoping that the deal struck will be respected and it appears possible that the owner will come on board tomorrow, maybe tomorrow morning, with the owed money,’ Mr Dawson says