Published: 27 Oct 2020
In the wake of the infections on the Vega Dream and the Al Messilah the McGowan Government continues the flow of foreign seafarers from COVID hotspots to replace Western Australian Seafarers.
Maersk Supply Service operated vessel the Maersk Minder is operating out of Dampier Western Australia for Chevron Offshore Oil and Gas operations.
The contract between Chevron and Maersk is set to expire early November 2020 and the vessel is anticipated to remain close to Australia with a view obtaining additional work in the Western Australia’s North West.
Despite this, the McGowan Government has this week approved the arrival of at least 6 foreign crew members to enter Western Australia and replace the Western Australian Crew.
The crew members are currently Isolating at a crew hotel in Perth.
National President & State Secretary of the WA Branch Chris Cain said “The Vega Dream and Al Messilah exposed the soft underbelly of Western Australia’s Maritime Border. International crew changes increase the risk of a vessel’s crew becoming infected with COVID and is an unacceptable risk to the Western Australian community”
“There are enough Western Australian Seafarers ready, willing, and able to take on the job we are calling on Maersk Supply Service and the McGowan government to do the right thing by WA and put the protection of the Western Australian community and Western Australian jobs first and say no to the replacement of Western Australian crew.”
“It’s appalling that at a time where COVID is on our doorstep, the McGowan government can allow Maersk Supply Service to bring overseas workers into WA. They are simply not needed as we have capable, skilled and willing Australians available and ready to work.”
“At a time when there are Western Australians stranded internationally, the McGowan government is allowing Maersk Supply Service to bring foreign seafarers into Western Australia and to replace Australian seafarers.”
“Unemployment nationally is at an all-time high of 6.9%. it makes no sense to be replacing Australian’s with foreign workers.”
“WA is sailing close to the wind with lax maritime border and an increase in cases of COVID on it’s maritime arrivals. It makes no sense to facilitate Maersk’s attempt to replace Australian workers with foreign crew in our state.”
“Selling out Australian workers for no other reason than allowing multinational organisations such as Maersk to profit on the backs of exploited overseas workers.”
Media contact: Christy Cain – 0407 850 084
