During the 5-year period two thousands of seafarers have become members of the Black and Azov seas territorial organization of SUR

During the last 5 years  more than two thousands of seafarers have become the members of the SUR Black and Azov Seas Territorial Organization (SUR BATO). And 438 of 2000 seamen were the cadets of the Admiral Ushakov Maritime State Academy.

The situation at the region of Black and Azov seas is not good and due to this providing support to the seafarers has  a high importance. Every seafarer can get help at the office of the Black and Azov Seas Territorial Organization. For the last 5 years almost 300 seafarers have exercised their rights. The lawyers of the territorial organization have been working with different problems – from labour and family cases to housing matters.

There seafarers got help in returning the unpaid wages. The most active  ITF inspector in Russia  is Olga Ananina. She works at this region. From 2011 to 2016 Olga Ananina in cooperation with technical inspectors of the union  has inspected more than 640 ships. During inspections there were found and eliminated 120 violations of the contract obligations, the requirements of the conventions   and living conditions on the ships. For this period to the seafarers have been returned $318000US.

The union takes an active role at the annual Week of actions against the flags of convenience in the Black and Azov Seas region. Under the Week of Actions the abandonment crew of MV “RusenMete” have received an assistance in visa proceedings and their repatriation. The seafarers with help of ITF inspector  got back unpaid wages, $31763. Since August 2015, The Territorial Organization of Novorossiysk city of SUR BATO have been taking an active role at the ship detains cause of unpaid wages, and then at the arrest of two ferries – “Sevastopol” and “Novorossiysk”. As a result “Sevastopol” have been put for a sale.

Furthermore, the union gives social support: the seafarers and their families can receive passes to the union’s gym and swimming pool; seafarers’ children can visit the New Year’s show. Beside this, the union assists in purchasing of the New Year’s presents for children. Also the organization allocates money to the purchasing tours to the health resort “Sadko”, particularly it covers the half of costs. This program is popular among the crews. For the 5 years in “Sadko”, placed  nearly Novorossiysk,  spent their holidays more than 300 seafarers. Further more, every seafarer has a right to receive a financial aid in the emergency case.

One of the main areas of the union is  development of social partnership and control over execution of collective agreements, which were concluded with such companies as “Sovcomflot”, “V.Ships” and others companies located in Novorossiysk, Sochi, Tuapse and Rostov-on-Don. Prior to voyage, the crews get instructions and explains  the provisions of collective agreements, they receive answers to their questions about the work conditions, corporate and union policy and its requirements. The union provides assistance in health resumption and accident insurance cover. Some companies also give additional medical insurance for their crews.