The Marine Transport Workers' Trade Union of Ukraine helps seafarers in trouble, whether it is wage arrears, illegal termination of an employment contract by a shipowner, or shipowner's failure to comply with requirements on ensuring decent living and working conditions on the ship. And today, the number of requests for help has increased due to global restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On March 20, 2021, the Master of a ship covered by the MTWTU Collective Bargaining Agreement turned to the Union for help. The Master reported that one of the crew onboard, a Fitter from Ukraine, has been suffering severe toothache since March 9. Painkillers available onboard helped temporarily relieve the pain, but most of the time the seafarer was unable to eat, sleep and work. Thus, he urgently needed to see the dentist at the nearest port of call.
When the pain first appeared, the ship was on her way from Israel to the port of Chennai, India (ETA March 16). The ship's agent in Chennai said the visit was impossible due to COVID-imposed restrictions. After Chennai, the ship was to stop by at Singapore (ETA March 22) for a few hours for bunkering, so there was not enough time for a visit. After the bunkering, the ship was to head to Thai port Laem Chabang for a couple of days. That was where the Union’s help was needed – to arrange a visit to the dentist, as the local agent in Thailand similarly refused the Master citing COVID-19.
After Thailand, the ship was to leave for a ten-day voyage to the port of Busan in South Korea, and the Master wanted to make sure the Fitter receives the required consultation and medications prior to such a long sail.
Having examined the Thai restrictions due to COVID, the Union realized that the seafarer’s chanced for a visit to the medical facility were very slim. However, it was essential to do the utmost to help the MTWTU member.
Through the Maritime Information Center supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the MTWTU appealed to the MFA’s Department for Consular Service, which, in its turn, forwarded the issue to the local consul in Thailand Mr. Olexandr Lysak.
The Union provided Olexandr with all the available information and documents on the case and linked him directly with the Master of the ship. The consul received the contacts of the local ship’s agent in Laem Chabang, contacted him and arranged the dentist’s arrival to the ship shortly after she berthed at the port.
Thus, on March 25, the dentist arrived onboard the ship where he diagnosed the Fitter with root canal infection, accompanied by inflammation. Normally, such a condition is to be treated in a medical facility onshore, which unfortunately was impossible due to a strict 14-day quarantine regime for anyone crossing the Thai border.
The doctor prescribed and supplied the Fitter with pain relievers and antibiotics enough for 10 days up till the next port of call in South Korea to help the Ukrainian seafarer safely and painlessly endure the long voyage.
