90% of the world's cargo is carried by ships but very little is known outside the industry about the conditions of its workers or how the industry works.

Rights, Rorts and Rants host Deb Smith talks to former seafarer David Butler about the maritime version of the Cayman Island tax shelters - flags of convenience - and their consequences for maritime workers, global security and more on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM.

Since leaving the maritime industry Dave has earned a BA in International Studies from WSU and a Masters in Asian Studies from the Rajaratnam School of International Studies. While in the industry Dave was a proud member of the Maritime Union of Australia - MUA and before going to Singapore to study Dave was a active member of Blue Mountains Unions & Community.

Here's the Guardian articles which sparked our interest in the plight of international seafarers:
https://tinyurl.com/yalka2xy
https://tinyurl.com/yalka2xy
This article is about a COVID-19 outbreak on a live export ship docked in Western Australia:
https://tinyurl.com/y8pnjj7r
And this one is about the cruise ship, the Ruby Princess, thought to be the major source of infection in New South Wales, Australia:
https://tinyurl.com/y84gbrl9
This episode was first broadcast on Radio Blue Mountains 89.1FM on 22nd May, 2020.

Disclaimer: Views expressed in our show may be but are not necessarily endorsed by the Blue Mountains Unions Council Inc.

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