KARACHI, Oct 11: The Pakistan Merchant Navy Officers Association has accused the ship-owners of flouting the internationally recognized rules and resorting to mistreatment of seamen.

In a press release, the general secretary of the association, Sheikh Mohammad Iqbal, said the International Maritime Organisation had adopted more than 40 conventions and recommendations to ensure safer shipping, cleaner oceans and avoidance of maritime accidents.

But he regretted the ship-owners who maintain their ships in compliance with these rules have been facing great competition from those who flout such rules.

He said those who maintain quality shipping could not afford to compete in freight rates and sustain huge losses and great reduction in their fleet strength.

The PMNOA representative called for the removal of FOC system and returning the FOC ships to the flag of the country of ownership because FOC ships pay very low wages, provide poor living conditions, long work hours without proper rest with little or no shore leave, inadequate medical attention and inadequate safe-training.

He said most of the FOC ships are substandard. As a result the seafarers encounter great transgression and often work without wages and are stranded in foreign ports.