Seafarers attacked in Hormuz sue Thai shipping company over unfair dismissal
Three former crew members of a Thai cargo ship struck in the Strait of Hormuz have sued the vessel's operator over labour rights violations and unfair dismissal after the attack left them with PTSD and unable to resume work.
Three ex-crew members of a Thai cargo ship struck in the Strait of Hormuz in March filed a lawsuit on Friday against the ship's operator, accusing it of violating labour rights and unfairly terminating their employment.
The case, filed on Friday in Bangkok's Central Labour Court, names shipping firm Precious Shipping Co., two affiliated companies and the ship's captain as defendants.
The cargo vessel Mayuree Naree was hit by a projectile north of Oman on March 11, killing three crew members, while the remaining 20 were rescued and repatriated to Thailand about a week later.
The plaintiffs, Panithi Tumkaew, Noppadon Wongsuvan and Surades Manpuen, claim the company endangered their lives by allowing the ship to sail through the Strait of Hormuz despite escalating security risks.
Their lawyer, Kunpat Singhathong, said the three were dismissed before completing their nine-month contracts after the vessel became inoperable and were paid compensation equivalent to only two months' salary.
He argued that the amount was inadequate, as all three have since been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and are currently unable to resume work as seafarers.
After failed negotiations with the company, they approached the court seeking damages exceeding one million baht (around USD 30,000) each.
One of the plaintiffs, Panithi, who had worked for Precious Shipping for over a decade, said he continues to suffer psychological trauma following the attack.
"When there are loud noises, I'll get startled. I can't work now, and I have to take medication," he said. Precious Shipping did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Earlier this month, the remains of the three crew members killed in the attack were repatriated to Thailand, with the company issuing a statement expressing condolences and pledging continued support to the bereaved families.
The lawsuit comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, where renewed hostilities have disrupted maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway that handles nearly one-fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas trade.
The conflict has also intensified concerns over the safety of thousands of seafarers from countries such as India, the Philippines and Thailand, who make up a significant share of the global shipping workforce.
"Behind the figures are seafarers, and in some cases their families, who continue to bear the human cost of this conflict," International Maritime Organisation Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said this week.
Three ex-crew members of a Thai cargo ship struck in the Strait of Hormuz in March filed a lawsuit on Friday against the ship's operator, accusing it of violating labour rights and unfairly terminating their employment.
The case, filed on Friday in Bangkok's Central Labour Court, names shipping firm Precious Shipping Co., two affiliated companies and the ship's captain as defendants.
The cargo vessel Mayuree Naree was hit by a projectile north of Oman on March 11, killing three crew members, while the remaining 20 were rescued and repatriated to Thailand about a week later.
The plaintiffs, Panithi Tumkaew, Noppadon Wongsuvan and Surades Manpuen, claim the company endangered their lives by allowing the ship to sail through the Strait of Hormuz despite escalating security risks.
Their lawyer, Kunpat Singhathong, said the three were dismissed before completing their nine-month contracts after the vessel became inoperable and were paid compensation equivalent to only two months' salary.
He argued that the amount was inadequate, as all three have since been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and are currently unable to resume work as seafarers.
After failed negotiations with the company, they approached the court seeking damages exceeding one million baht (around USD 30,000) each.
One of the plaintiffs, Panithi, who had worked for Precious Shipping for over a decade, said he continues to suffer psychological trauma following the attack.
"When there are loud noises, I'll get startled. I can't work now, and I have to take medication," he said. Precious Shipping did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Earlier this month, the remains of the three crew members killed in the attack were repatriated to Thailand, with the company issuing a statement expressing condolences and pledging continued support to the bereaved families.
The lawsuit comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, where renewed hostilities have disrupted maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway that handles nearly one-fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas trade.
The conflict has also intensified concerns over the safety of thousands of seafarers from countries such as India, the Philippines and Thailand, who make up a significant share of the global shipping workforce.
"Behind the figures are seafarers, and in some cases their families, who continue to bear the human cost of this conflict," International Maritime Organisation Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said this week.
