A sweep of port workers has raised slavery concerns. 

The International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) has launched its ‘Nowhere to Hide’ campaign in the Port of Newcastle, including a week-long crackdown on shipowners and agents involved in the widespread wage theft of vulnerable seafarers aboard cargo ships.

Instances of wage theft from seafarers on cargo ships in Australian waters have been on the rise, aided by existing legislative and regulatory frameworks that allow such exploitation to persist. 

In response, the ITF and the Maritime Union of Australia are calling on the Australian government to join their fight against modern slavery on international ships operating in Australian ports.

Last year, the Australia Institute's Centre for Future Work published the “Robbed at Sea” report, exposing the systematic exploitation of vulnerable international seafarers working in Australian waters. 

The report revealed that 70 per cent of ships carrying imports and exports failed to meet minimum international wage payment standards, and the ITF Inspectorate recovered $38 million in stolen wages over a ten-year period through spot checks at Australian ports.

The Nowhere to Hide campaign includes targeted action by Australian and international ITF coordinators, inspectors, and volunteers at ports in New South Wales. 

From June 13 to June 20, every ship entering a New South Wales port has been subject to inspection.

The campaign draws upon the ITF Inspectorate's experience in Australia and the research outlined in the Robbed at Sea report. 

It aims to address issues such as wage theft, denial of shore leave, failure to repatriate seafarers, lack of medical care, and the mistreatment of vulnerable workers through bullying and harassment.

The campaign will specifically focus on Flag of Convenience vessels, which are registered in low-wage, developing countries and often subjected to exploitation by unethical ship owners, contractors, and sub-contractors.

Paddy Crumlin, MUA National Secretary and ITF President, says that shipowners should be aware that the ITF Inspectorate will conduct spot checks to ensure compliance with legal, social, and ethical obligations. 

The ITF has already recovered millions of dollars in stolen wages and remains resolute in combating unscrupulous employers and shipowners.

Ian Bray, ITF Coordinator - Australia, says the problem has persisted for years, and requires close monitoring of international shipowners to ensure compliance with the law and community expectations. 

In 2022 alone, the ITF performed 550 inspections, recovering nearly US$7 million in stolen wages. This year, they are on track to reach $11 million in recovered funds.

Beyond recovering stolen wages, ITF Inspectors play a vital role in upholding safety standards, facilitating access to medical care for seafarers in need, and ensuring the respect of human rights for visiting seafarers in Australian ports, including provisions for shore leave and repatriation.

The ITF's Nowhere to Hide campaign aims to put an end to wage theft and injustice faced by seafarers, urging both industry stakeholders and the Australian government to prioritise the protection of seafarers' rights and combat modern slavery in the maritime industry.