Union to probe ‘slave-like’ ship conditions

GALLEY slave-like conditions on board a ferry that serves Dublin Port will be highlighted today in talks between SIPTU and the company chartering the vessel.

One crewman has not received a single cent in wages for more than four months and the conditions of the other 21 members of the crew were not much better, Ken Fleming, of SIPTU and the Irish Transport Federation (ITF) said.

Mr Fleming, who is on secondment from SIPTU, said he believed the Norfolk Line, which charters the Merchant Bravery, was unaware of the appalling working conditions on board the ship.