CO & MSTRs
I need your help in deciding what i should do in this situation. I am normally too involved in shit i shouldn't be icl. (Sorry if this gets confusing im trying to keep it vague so i cannot be tracked back to this)
So the situation is we have just had a crew change in a port new CO. The old CO has intentionally lowered the OT working hours for one of the (hardest working) ratings onboard. They have dropped their OT hours by a good 15 to 20 hours from what they worked. This to me as a inside EU mindset officer is wage theft. And this in my mind should be reported to the authorities as such. But i feel like this would be the nuclear option. I continously see cost cutting and somewhat dangerous tactics by non-eu and non english speaking country company and crew. And its getting me concerned. I know that this abuse of crew is normally pressure from the company placed on the masters and then CO / CE shoulders but i cant help but wonder how people think its acceptable to cut OT hours. I cannot fathom this in a normal job so why tf is it even entertained in this one. I never want to be a watcher in a abuse of power situation especially when i know the victim wont fight back.
Rant over.
What should i do? Get involved? Do nothing? Report it? Speak to the affected crew member and help them report it to a union?
Please help.
- a very lost sailor