China: Whether the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) in Vancouver received complaints related to wage discrimination from Chinese nationals working on the "Spring Leo" vessel that arrived in Canada in July and October 2000; whether the captain and crew were Koreans
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 19 March 2001 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | CHN36583.E |
| Reference | 5 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, China: Whether the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) in Vancouver received complaints related to wage discrimination from Chinese nationals working on the "Spring Leo" vessel that arrived in Canada in July and October 2000; whether the captain and crew were Koreans, 19 March 2001, CHN36583.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3df4be1c8.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The following information was provided by the inspector at the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) in Vancouver during a 16 March 2001 telephone interview.
The inspector stated that the ITF received two complaints by Chinese nationals related to wage discrepancies on the Spring Leo, a Korean-owned vessel. On 12 July 2000, the inspector settled the case of a Chinese national who had been working as a seafarer on the Spring Leo for 11 months and who had complained to the ITF that he had received lower wages in comparison to his Korean counterparts doing the same work on the boat. The Chinese national had also complained that he had been abused by the cook who hit him everyday. The complainant was eventually paid $12,000 in back wages by the Korean company that owned the vessel.
The second case, which was heard by the inspector on the Spring Leo on 24 October 2000, involved another Chinese seafarer who had complained about wage discrimination. The seafarer claimed that the company owed him $4,000 in back wages and the case concluded that the company was to pay this amount. The company agreed to pay the amount, but has, so far, refused to allocate the funds to the Chinese national.
Most of the staff on the Spring Leo, including the captain and officers, are Korean. A few Chinese seafarers have been hired to work on the vessel as a source of "cheap labour." Most of the Chinese seafarers sign employment guarantee forms as opposed to the standard personal contract. These forms authorize the company to sue the families of the employee for breaking the guarantee to work or for services unrendered.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
Reference
International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF), Vancouver. Telephone interview with the inspector. 16 March 2001.