MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Vessel in “Falklands area” involved in labour dispute.

A formal request from the maritime agent of the fishing vessel “Globalpesca 1”, currently fishing in the Falkland Islands area will enable the discharge of an injured seaman immobilized since early June, reports Punta Arenas La Prensa Austral.

Cristian Valdes Biot, 30, from Punta Arenas boarded May 4, but since June 3 is suffering from back pains that impede him from working and have him confined to a cabin bed.

This week an attorney representing Mrs. Valdes Biot presented an appeal in a Punta Arenas court following the fishing company agents Inchcape refusal to pay her husband's salary alleging he had resigned in the high seas.

Mrs. Valdes Biot who is pregnant suspected her husband was forced to sign a letter of resignation given his condition, besides the fact he would have to remain on board until the vessel returns to Punta Arenas at the end of next July.

According to Punta Arenas press, Mrs. Valdes Biot with support from the fishermen's union finally contacted her husband who told her about his physical condition, the forced redundancy signature and the fact the vessel owners did not want to bring him back to port because it was "too costly".

This convinced the fisherman's wife to begin legal actions against the company.

Jorge Cofré, president of the Punta Arenas Union of Crewmembers (and occasional sailor of the MV Tamar) said it was very worrisome that "Gloabalpesca 1" was involved in extracting "voluntary resignations" in the high seas from members of the crew and recalled a similar incident a few months ago, "with the same vessel when a sick crewmember was left ashore in the Falklands".

Mr. Cofré said he had contacted Punta Arenas port authorities and Labour Ministry officials since it's not normal for crewmembers to resign in the high seas, besides according to Chilean law, "when a crewmember is not performing his duties the vessel must head to a port where the contract will be finalized or for the signing of voluntary resignation".