Apparently, nearly a hundred people dressed up as 'pirates' descended on the Vancouver port this past Saturday, outfitted in girly blouses, eye patches and peg legs in a lighthearted attempt to raise awareness about a very serious issue: the exploitation of workers that takes place on cruise ships. The 'pirates' sang sea shanties of justice, walked the plank and rallied in an attention-grabbing "stand against the pillagin' and plunderin' of the poor." From SEIU Canada:
According to the Facebook page of the 'Pirates for Justice' Flash Mob group, cruise ship workers routinely work 12 hour days, every day, but don't complain for fearing of losing their jobs. Many are Indonesian and Filipino. "The dining room staff are only paid $50 per month because they are not getting a cut from the gratuity," one former employee was reported as saying.
The Pirates planned to raid Canada Place on Saturday, targeting the Carnival Cruise Lines ship contracted out to the RCMP and Canadian Forces to house security staff for the games, for the poor treatment of their employees. There were even reports that one support worker on the ship was diagnosed with leprosy while in Vancouver.
A new report online details the poor treatment and working conditions for cruise ship employees--most of whom aren't unionized--and who have little recourse once on the high seas. And the harsh facts on the reality of life below decks is enough to make anyone want to jump ship. According to the report surveying 400 employees that work in the engine rooms, laundries, kitchens and restaurants on luxury cruise ships:
- 95% of those surveyed work seven days a week, with time-off restricted to turnaround in port.
- Over a third worked up to 12 hours a day, while just under a third worked up to 14 hours.
- There's no job security to speak of, and
- Wages can be as low as $45 a month.
- There have also been numerous accusations of sexual harassment against those in authority on board.
Overtime is not paid on many vessels, including those owned by Carnival, because the majority of cruise ship workers don't have a union contract. The War on Want and the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) jointly produced the report detailing how some cruise liners have become a 'floating hell' for thousands of workers -- you can download it here (PDF).
ITF is hoping that by raising awareness of the abuses happening in stark contrast to luxury enjoyed above deck, passengers will begin to ask for better treatment for employees. More on the Pirates of Justice at The Globe and Mail & the Vancouver Courier.
