undercover Boss

[John Arton]

Have worked with Filipino officers and ratings since 1974 and at all times they have been paid and had their working conditions set out by AMUSEP. Cant think of what it actually stands for but is basically what our shipping federation was. No Filipino seaman is supposodly allowed to leave the Philippines without his agreement and having been signed on by the Phil Mercantile Marine Office. This is for seafarers employed directly by shipping companies but i believe agencies have to follow the same procedures. Our guys used to come with, along with their usual licences, medicals etc. two contracts, one from the SMUSEP and a Company Contract, both stating their wages, leangth of service etc. The AMUSEP one also had disciplinary procedures etc in it. Wages etc. and O/T were the same on both contracts and all the Filipinos I sailed with were more than happy with their conditions earning upwards of $2000 p/month as A.B.s
I have seen programs on passenger ships where the bedroom stewards were only being paid $1 an hour but with the tipping regime in that particular company, they were actually earning around $4000 p/m most of which is, of course, undeclared income.
Cannot comment on Stena line as did not see the program and have never had any contact with Stena, though through a very large reputable management company in the U.K. which is part of the Stena group, from my, albiet short, contact with them they seemed to treat their Filipino crews very well.
rgds
Capt. John Arton

[R551286]

LOUIS we in great Britain are doing the same with the gurkha regiments pension?? a serving soldier can put 20 years in and told to leave the country. they never came in on the back of a wagon like some of the dross we are getting in here?JP

John I totally agree with your comments, our own forces are not treat as they should be either.

R551286

[j.sabourn]

Brian ref. your post re panama ticket. I worked out of Singapore for a time and ship was going to be registered in Panama.Had to go for the medical for the panama ticket, never received before the contract was finished Obviously someone else would have got and more than likely used to their own advantage. Would probably either change the name and reforge on certificate. There must now at this time and date be many thousands using these certrificates. makes one wonder. Cheers John Sabourn.

[Louis the Amigo]

Hi shipmates, but we did have a support the "Gurkha s in our armed forces' on this forum? but I would support anything that Joanna Lumley told me too I remember her as purdey!!!! Many companys, farms supermarkets factorys care homes in the U.K use cheap oversea labour to cut cost and increase profits, The shipping companys were just the first to see the benifits many years ago, Any one in business would employ 2 or more workers for the price of one, with no rights in the workplace, and very little tax to pay or other cost to them, in the short term!!!

[happy daze john in oz]

[QUOTE=robpage;98411]Current NMW rates

There are different levels of NMW, depending on your age and whether you are an apprentice. The current rates (from 1 October 2011) are:

• Rates from 1 October 2012
  
  
• £6.19 - the main rate for workers aged 21 and over
• £4.98 - the 18-20 rate
• £3.68 - the 16-17 rate for workers above school leaving age but under 18
• £2.65 - the apprentice rate, for apprentices under 19 or 19 or over and in the first year of their apprenticeship

Looked into our minimum rate here. At the current rate of exchange yours will be from October
$9.65
Here in Oz currently $15.96

Cheapest loaf of bread here $1 as is a litre of milk. That equates to 6.26% of the basic wage,
How does yours compare?

[Tony Morcom]

Asda today: Decent loaf of bread £1 2 litres semi skimmed milk £1 . You can buy sliced 'cardboard' bread for 40p, so if you bought that and the milk you are at about 7% John. But they are special offers!