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SEAFARERS' UNION OF RUSSIA
A NON-UNIONIZED SEAFARER
IS AN UNPROTECTED SEAFARER
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This amount of outstanding wage was obtained by the Far Eastern regional organization of the Seafarers Union of Russia (DVRO SUR) in the 1st quarter of 2020. During this period the organization was asked for help by the crews of 5 vessels due to problems with payment of wages, compensation for damage caused and repatriation from foreign ports.
According to Nikolai Sukhanov, the Chairman of the DVRO SUR, Marine administrations were involved in resolving these issues upon the request of the Trade Union. In total, during the 1st quarter of 2020, more than 150 thousand us dollars of delayed wages and compensation for damage to the health of seafarers were returned to seafarers.
By the way, the coronavirus pandemic which has engulfed the whole world, has added to the problems of seafarers. So, on January 23, 2020, the crew of the tanker Patriot, who found themselves in a Chinese port without food and fresh water, appealed to the SUR. The validity period of all the ship's registration certificates have been ended, the seafarers asked to repatriate them from China to Vladivostok but the shipowner did not even have funds for tickets.
– We appealed to the Consulate General of Russia in China and asked them to repatriate the crew. As well the request was delivered to the Primorsky transport prosecutor's office in connection with the violation of the rights of seafarers, primarily for non-payment of wages for three months, says Nikolai Sukhanov. Thanks to the active actions of the Russian Consulate General in China 19 seafarers were safely repatriated, despite the unfavorable situation in China due to the coronavirus epidemic.The SUR DVRO also helped resolve the issue of repatriation of the m/v STI Rose, stranded in Shanghai. With the assistance of Russian diplomats all immigration issues were settled and the seafaers went home.
- Assistance to seafarers by diplomats became possible after Russia signed amendments to the MLC 2006, according to which if the shipowner does not have financial resources for the repatriation of seafarers, such funds are allocated by the Russian Federation, said the Chairman of the DVRO
With assistance of the judicial authorities the Trade Union obtained compensation for the sister of the deceased seafarer in the amount of 400 thousand rubles, a criminal case was initiated against those responsible for carrying out work on the vessel where the fatal accident occurred.
Within three months the inspectors of the DVRO SUR visited 15 vessels that called the port of Nakhodka. First of all, inspectors checked if the vessel is covered by the ITF collective agreement, paid attention on issues of labor protection and safety. Warning letters were sent to the owners of 12 inspected vessels about the need to negotiate the conclusion of the colelective agreements. During the meetings with the crews Union inspectors told seafarers about the situation that arose in connection with the epidemic and what measures should be taken to avoid contracting this disease.
On February 27, 2020, the conference of the DVRO SUR was held and the charter of the DVRO SUR was adopted. Previously the organization worked under the approved regulations.
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