Malta: Authorities seize Mallya's abandoned luxury yacht over unpaid wages
Absconding liquor baron Vijay Mallya's super luxury yacht has been seized by authorities in Malta over unpaid wages amounting to $1 million to its crew, including some Indians, according to an international traders' union. Nautilus International, the traders' union, said the 95-meter vessel named "Indian Empress" was "arrested" to recover over $330,000 unpaid wages and other costs on behalf of its members. Here's more.
Vessel was abandoned by Mallya in September last year
Mallya had "effectively abandoned" the vessel in September last year leaving the crew with unpaid wages amounting to nearly $1 million. "Our members onboard gave their employer and the shipowner multiple opportunities to pay monthly wages, displaying a loyalty and restraint greater than many would show in such situations. These opportunities were regularly ignored by the owner," said Nautilus International strategic organizer Danny McGowan.
Crew members also include some Indians
The owner left us with no option but to take the case to the courts, said McGowan. The crew members include some Indians and a mixture of other nationalities, including British and east Europeans. The union said it had been successful in securing a "milestone" payment for crew members via the insurers using a safety net provision in the International Maritime Labour Convention.
Around $615,000 of four months' salary has been recovered
While around $615,000 amounting to four months' overdue salary has been recovered, there are more than 40 crew members on the yacht and other associated individuals who are owed anything between $6,250 to more than $92,000. Mallya is facing an extradition trial in London on fraud and money laundering charges involving default of bank loans amounting to nearly Rs. 9,000 crore.
The detainment of the superyacht 'Indian Empress'
The detaining of the "Indian Empress" is aimed at enforcing a "maritime lien", seeking the payment of further outstanding wages and other costs over and above the amounts covered by the MLC. The superyacht will remain docked at Malta until all the remaining unpaid wages and costs are recovered. Mallya had bought the yacht in 2006 and spent millions on refitting it in 2016.
