MSF assists seafarers and families, regardless of membership status

Regardless of membership or non-membership, the Myanmar Seafarers Federation (MSF) has assisted seafarers and their families in dealing with difficulties they have encountered, said MSF president Captain U Soe Min Aung.
He said that if seafarers and their families have difficulties, MSF has opened the door to welcome them and consult.
“Whether they are our members or non-members, any seaman or their families can come to meet us if they are facing difficulties. We have opened the door. They can come to consult us any time,” he said.
MSF has assisted in settling problems through face-to-face negotiations, and if the talks can’t reach a compromise, it has helped them to find a solution by proceedings, he said.
“There is an ongoing case that a seafarer died, but no compensation was received. We had mediated with the department and regional representative for not receiving compensation but didn’t reach a settlement. Therefore, we have helped his family, who will file a lawsuit,” he said.
About five cases are left to be settled by litigation, he said.
“We don’t want to do things that must be settled in court. We prefer to find a solution through negotiations between the two parties.
“We mediate between them without taking charge but sacrificing time, human resources, and finances. But sometimes, there are cases in which no settlement is reached. It is necessary to proceed to be settled in court. It is not good for both parties,” said Captain U Soe Min Aung. — MT/ZS