Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) officials are furious at the Department of Immigration’s revocation of the visas of 11 striking seamen from the Egyptian coal carrier Wadi Alkarm, currently docked in Port Kembla.

Maritime visas are guaranteed under international law, according to the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF).

The seamen had gone on strike to protest a policy of no access to food between 7pm and 7am and the halving of their wages. While in Australian waters, the workers felt confident in alerting the ITF to their grievances.

ITF Australia assistant coordinator Matt Purcell said the Egyptian government-owned coal carrier was in breach of the Maritime Labor Convention, and although Egypt is not a signatory, the carrier is bound by the convention while sailing in Australian waters.

“The men have also been called treasonous by their employer because they did the right thing and flagged their issues with the ITF”, he said.

MUA southern NSW secretary Garry Keane talked to the workers aboard the vessel. The MUA organised tickets home for them and accommodation on shore until they could leave.

“The Immigration officials told them if they left the ship they would end up in Villawood Detention Centre”, he said. Keane said the men have stated they would not crew the ship and would remain on strike at Port Kembla until their demands are met.

“These men want the policy of no food between 7pm and 7am reversed permanently, not just until they sail out of Australian waters, and they want their previous wages reinstated with back pay from June, when the wages were cut”, Keane said.

“These blokes don’t have a desire to stay in Australia; they want to go home, and to be treated like criminals by Immigration is just not on.”