Four Cuban sailors who jumped ship in Saint John citing brutal working conditions are now claiming refugee status.

The sailors left the Greek-owned cargo ship Dimitra G docked at the New Brunswick port last Tuesday.

The men described poor working conditions on the ship, said interpreter Angel Negreira, with no heat or air conditioning.

"These people work a minimum of 84 hours a week. They have to work continuously."

The men's hands are covered in heavy calluses and torn skin. Their pay was between $2.50 to $3 per hour, Negreira said.

Negreira said they will be seeking refugee status in Canada on the grounds of the political and economic situation in Cuba.

He and the Cubans plan to meet with the provincial Department of Family and Community Services today to ask for help.

Over the past 12 years Negreira has helped more than 20 Spanish-speaking sailors who have jumped ship in Saint John.

The situation for the latest four is difficult, he said. "The adjustment is enormous."

The Saint John Telegraph-Journal identified the men as Leonardo Pazos Maynegra, 28, Maikel Aquileva Hernandez, 28, Luis Manuel Macias Sevila, 34, and Jesus Despaigne Maso, 42.

Negreira said he boarded and examined the ship last week until the captain told him to leave.

"These people lived on the boat with just a mattress, no bedding, no towels, no work clothes," said Negreira.

Vessel detained for safety violations

Transport Canada detained the ship following an inspection Friday.

Spokeswoman Tracey Hennessey said the vessel was detained for safety violations, though she couldn't say whether or not the detention was related to the Cuban sailors' claims.

"It does not meet some of the required safety standards, including those under safety of life at sea," Hennessey said in an interview Sunday.

The ship would have to address those safety concerns before Transport Canada allows it to leave, she said.

After leaving the ship, the sailors walked to a local police station where immigration officials were called.

"They just want their self-respect back," Negreira said. "They have no clothing. They have no place to live. They have nothing."

The four men had to spend a night in a holding cell because there was nowhere else to send them in town, but are now staying with a local Spanish-speaking family. They have still not spoken to their families in Cuba because they can't afford the telephone call.

On Friday, the Cubans, escorted by an inspector from the International Transport Workers' Federation and Negreira, boarded the ship in search of approximately $12,000 in back pay.

"They're confiscating their pay to give it back to their families in Cuba," inspector Gerard Bradbury said he was told after meeting with the captain of the vessel.

According to Canadian law, the ship's owners must post a $25,000 bond for each of the sailors before the ship can leave port.

Immigration Canada is expected to make a decision regarding their case by Nov. 6.

With files from the Canadian Press