The Ministry of Labor carried out an inspection in the Mamonal industrial zone, in Cartagena, aimed at four vessels that provide service to the company Seatech Internacional Inc., which operates for the firm Atunes Van Camp’s.
The inspection, led by Minister Antonio Sanguino and the Vice Minister of Labor Relations, identified a series of violations of labor regulations.
The results of the inspection indicate that the majority of workers who work on these ships do not have an employment contract, in accordance with the provisions of the law. In addition, The staff lacks protection in social security and occupational risks.
“These workers who work on these ships do not have an employment contract, as required by law, they do not have social security protection and much less do they have protection against occupational risks. Here there have already been episodes of fire on one of the ships that we have also investigated and for that reason we have proceeded to close three of those ships. The ship Sandra, the ship Amanda and the ship Nazcar, which I repeat are in service, which provide their services to the company that produces Van Camp’s Tuna.”
The inspection also revealed an alarming event that will be brought to the attention of the judicial authorities. Minister Sanguino reported that while the supervision actions were taking place, the workers disappeared from the boats.
The security personnel responded evasively to the officials’ questions, however, later, They managed to obtain information about the retention of workers in one of the company’s warehouses.
Due to these facts, the Ministry will bring the case of retention to the attention of the Attorney General’s Office and the Human Trafficking Directorate of the Ministry of the Interior, given that the facts could constitute a crime.
Meanwhile, the inspection also detected flaws in the personnel identification documentation, finding that Neither the captains of the ships nor the workers have their passports and documents in order.. The situation would indicate possible violations of the country’s immigration regulations, for which the information will be sent to Migration Colombia.
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Minister Sanguino concluded the action with a message to the country’s employers. “In Colombia, the rights and dignity of workers must be guaranteed and respected,” he stated. The result of the inspection has led to the closure of the three vessels.
