Ukrainian workers on the formerSouthampton-based Cunard ship said they were not paid in March or April,reports the BBC.
The crew strike comes as the formerluxury liner plans to sail from its current base in Dubai to China to berefitted as floating hotel.
Owners Oceanic Group said an agencyhad been paid and blamed the political situation in Ukraine for the difficulties.
The BBC said it had has obtained aletter from the Ukrainian captain to the ship’s owners stating the 48-strongcrew has been on strike since 15 May.
“We are waiting for new crew toreplace the existing ones on a sign-on/sign-off rotation basis, but, given thepresent political situation in Ukraine, it is difficult and a little slow,” QE2Holdings vice chairman Winnie Ip told the BBC.
She said the consortium was stillcommitted to sailing the liner to a Shanghai shipyard under its own steam forthe refit.
