QE2 crew on strike over unpaid wages
Staff on the QE2 have gone on strike, claiming that they haven’t been paid for at least two months.
Ukrainian workers on ship said they were not paid in March or April.
Owners Oceanic Group are claiming payment has been sent to an agency and blamed the political situation in Ukraine for difficulties in dealing with crew issues.
The BBC said it has seen a letter from the Ukrainian captain to the ship’s owners stating the 48-strong crew has been on strike since May 15.
Winnie Ip, vice chairman of owners QE2 Holdings Ltd, said: "We are waiting for new crew to replace the existing ones on a sign-on/sign-off rotation basis, but, given the present political situation in Ukraine, it is difficult and a little slow."
She said the consortium was still committed to sailing the liner from Dubai, where it is currently based, to a Shanghai shipyard, where it will be transformed into a floating hotel. It will then be relocated in Hong Kong or Singapore.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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