Lae vessel crew still waiting for pay

EMPLOYEES of mv Lady Zeming have gone without pay for the last seven months, according to its chief engineer Richard Martin.
Martin said the Tewasi Business Group Ltd, which managed the vessel, deprived the public of services and employees’ families were going without a decent meal.
Martin said passengers from Tewae-Siassi and Kabwum were turned away from buying tickets to travel home to Sialum, Wasu and Umboi Island on Monday.
He said the vessel was service-oriented rather than trying to make a big profit so the crew had not caused too much fuss.
“It has come to a stage where 12 crew members and our families are starving,”  Martin said.
He urged the management and Tewae-Siassi MP Kobby Bomareo to look into their welfare.
“I appeal to  Bomareo to subsidise the cost of the vessel to continue its functions instead of grounding the ship,” Martin said.
Bomareo blamed the Tewasi management for  failing to pay the crew.
“The Tewasi management defied instructions by sailing the vessel last week, therefore the vessel be grounded for two-three weeks until internal issues are resolved” Bomareo said.
“I am interested to know how the money of the vessel is spent because there are two factions within the Tewasi business arm managing the vessel,” he said.