Union represantatives of Vladivostok helped to obtain $93,000 to seafarers

At the end of February the primary trade union organization of seafarers in Vladivostok was contacted by the 2nd Engineer from the bulk carrier "ELEEN SOFIA" (IMO 9407512, flag of Panama), which was un route from the port of Vanino to Nakhodka. The seafarer informed that the crew has not received a salary for almost three months and asked for help.

The Chairman of the trade union committee, inspector of the ITF in Vladivostok Peter Osichansky, sent a letter to the Harbour Master of the port of Nakhodka with a request to arrange a more detailed inspection in regard with the ship's compliance with the requirements of national legislation and the  Maritime labour convention (MLC). The appeal worked. To avoid the detention of the vessel the Bulgarian shipowner  “OCM MARITIME SUMMER LLC" urgently took measures and paid off the debt for December and January. According to the 2nd Eng, on March 1 he also received a salary for February and the next day the crew confirmed the payment of two months ' arrears of $93,000. The Union advised the crew not to loose the time in the future and not to allow such delays in payment of wages. The seafarers promised to stay in touch with the trade Union Committee so as not to get into such a situation again.

- The year 2020 is still gaining momentum but in the far East it's the third vessel which falls under  inspection under MLC, - said Petr Osichansky.  I must say that the main provisions of this Convention are reflected in the code of merchant shipping of the Russian Federation. In particular, in December 2017 paragraph 1 of article 80 was amended so according to it the  Harbour master has the right to refuse to issue a permit to leave the port in case the requirements  of labor code  are not met on board the vessel. This adjustment is also of great importance for the fishing fleet  because fishing also falls under the concept of merchant shipping. So until the 2007 ILO Convention on labor in the fishing sector reached Russia, we can safely use our Maritime Constitution-the Code of Merchant Shippng of the Russian Federation.