SUR provides seafarers with all required support

The representatives of the SUR Far East Regional Organization (SUR FERO) have visited a Russian-flagged Uliss (IMO8913045) and a Panama-flagged New Sailing 1 (IMO9123855). The last is under a flag of convenience (FOC). In large, the crews of both ships are  satisfied with working conditions, although  the social guarantees  for  the seafarers from the Russian vessel are wider. They are under protection not only a collective agreement but the Labour Code  of the Russian Federation. For  a FOC ship such a guarantor can be a collective agreement signed with union. New Sailing 1 didn't have  the agreement.

The crew wages exceed the minimum rate recommended by the International Labour Organization. The seafarers don't have any problems with supplies and working conditions on the board. The crew from New Sailing 1 didn't know the exact sum of their insurance  under  the Maritime Labour Convention. Also we told foreign seafarers  about the possible risks of working  under flag of convenience. As a result the crew asked  us to send a notice to a shipowner requiring to conclude a collective agreement  with the union,” said Nikolai Sukhanov, the SUR FERO chairman.

In turn, crew of M/V Uliss consider to become  the SUR members. The inspectors told the seafarers, who didn't  yet  become its member,  about  the advantages of the union  brotherhood.

“The core function of the union is to protect labour rights. Union membership opens up different social programmes designed for seafarers and their families and makes possible to get legal support on different issues extending beyond wage arrears and repatriation,” Nikolai Sukhanov mentions. “Our territorial and primary trade unions are located in different  parts of the country.  The union established links with the International Transport Worker's  Federation and its inspectors meaning  that all required support seafarers can get anywhere.”