CASES
Greece: “Defamation, illegal acquisition, accepting the products of crime”
The Greek union, the Panhellenic Seaman’s Federation (PNO), has filed a lawsuit against ISU President Ludvik Jesenicnik: “…for the offense of defamation which he committed against us and for the offense of illegal acquisition and use of the aforementioned information from our Federation’s Archives, and for accepting products of crime.”
Greek news outlets New Money and Skai reported on the case, which centres on ISU claiming to have information that is only retained in PNO’s archives.
Preliminary hearings on the case took place in Greece in February 2025.
REPORT
Greece – ISU President faces charges of defamation, illegal acquisition, accepting the products of crime
On 5 December 2024, Greek ITF affiliate the Panhellenic Seamen’s Federation (PNO) filed a lawsuit against ISU President Ludvik Jesenicnik: “… for the offense of defamation which he committed against us and for the offense of illegal acquisition and use of the aforementioned information from our Federation’s Archives, and for accepting products of crime.”
PNO states that Jesenicnik claimed to have received complaints from seafarers serving on a number of ships sailing under ITF-PNO agreements. He listed the names of a number of Greek-flagged ships that have signed CBAs with PNO. PNO says such details are not publicly accessible and are only retained in PNO archives.
Preliminary hearings on the case took place in Greece in February 2025.
Greek news outlets New Money and Skai reported on the case.23 Soon after, a more than 7,500 word long email in English was sent to New Money by Ludvik Jesenicnik – Shipping Watch previously reported Krznaric explaining that Jesenicnik does not speak English – for the sole purpose of injuring the ISU [sic] good reputation”. At the time of writing, New Money has not apologised or retracted any reporting. Court proceedings continue.
CASES
BRAZIL: SEAFARERS ABANDONED WITHOUT PAY
An international crew of seafarers on the Eleen Eva were abandoned in Brazil – and subject to wage theft of USD178,000. They reached out to ISU, but no one ever replied. The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) stepped in to help: the seafarers were repatriated and received their stolen wages in full. REPORT Brazil – […]
UK: Illegal wages in P&O scandal
On 17 March 2022, 786 seafarers were summarily dismissed by British company P&O Ferries to be replaced by a far cheaper agency crew.
Finland: stolen wages, ISU binned
Finland is a hot spot for trade union action against ships with ISU-Lanibra agreements: the Finnish Seafarers’ Union (SMU) has taken action against ships from 2018 through to today. In one case, after a ship docked in Rauma in 2020 and refused access to an ITF inspector who was made aware of crew complaints, the […]
Sweden: blockades scrap ISU deals
Sweden’s Service and Communications Union blockaded a bulk carrier that tried to dock in Uddevalla with an ISU-Lanibra agreement.
Australia: Fair Work Ombudsman investigates underpayment on ISU-Lanibra ships
If the complaints are upheld by the regulator, the companies could be subjected to heavy fines, compliance notices or litigation.
Thailand: ITF answers seafarer’s plea for help
At no point did any ISU-Lanibra representative reply. After the ITF intervened, the seafarer received his owed wages.
Israel: Sham union agreement, stolen wages
Three months after failing to pay a seafarer in Thailand, the same ship – still under a sham ISU-Lanibra agreement – was abandoned in Israel.