The IUF union representing food industry workers around the world is calling on Philippines company Citra Mina to facilitate the repatriation of the body skipper of one of its fishing vessels who died while in custody in Indonesia.
According to IUF, tuna processor and exporter Citra Mina sent fishing vessels to fish illegally in Indonesian waters last year and two were detained.
IUF claims that this follows an established pattern by the company of sending its vessels across international boundaries without documentation or permits, and then abandoning them when they are arrested. Last year Citra Mina refused to assist in repatriating the crew members, a task that fell to IUF and affiliate union SENTRA, which secured the return of crew members last summer.
The skipper of one vessel, Wilfredo Estampa, remained in custody in Indonesia, in spite of the serious state of his health. He subsequently died in prison and the company has rejected appeals from his family to repatriate his body.
IUF is asking people to sign and send an email set out on its web page, urging Citra Mina to assist in returning Wilfedo Estampa’s remains to his family in the Philippines and to compensate crew members who found themselves left high and dry in Indonesia.
