Trapped at sea by Covid-19 lockdowns, crew members plead for help
150,000 [seafarers] with expired work contracts have been forced into continued labor aboard commercial ships worldwide to meet the demands of governments that have closed their borders and yet still want fuel, food and supplies...
Maritime organizations have lobbied governments to exempt crew members from travel bans, without success. Shipping companies say they are sympathetic, but need to keep commerce humming...
Seafarers... have been forced to stay onboard and work without their consent. [A small number] have been able to leave ships but cannot get home and is stranded ashore without salaries, saddled with hotel bills.
Some crew members have suggested an organized work stoppage... But others say they would surely be blackballed in the industry if they refused orders to work.