Crew of m/v Yangtze Keeper wants to work under the ITF collective agreement

Seafarers from the m/v Yangtze Keeper (flag of the Marshall Islands, IMO 9710086), moored in the port of Nakhodka, do not know how much their health and life are insured for. As the chairman of the Far Eastern territorial organization of the Seafarers Union of Russia Nikolay Sukhanov noted, this is typical for a vessel under a flag of convenience and without a collective agreement.

On board of Yangtze Keeper which was under the unloading operations, is the crew consist of 19 Chinese. The basic rate of an AB is $632, which is slightly short of $641 -the minimum required by the International Labor Organization.

«Using a convenient flag, the Singapore shipowner New Yangtze Navigation SNGPTE saves on the salary of seafarers. But at the same time, a cheap flag increases the profitability of ship operations and the competitiveness of the company's fleet. Seafarers should understand that only the an ITF collective agreement on board guarantees the respect for their rights and interests»,-explains N. Sukhanov It is not surprising that in this regard, the seafarers asked the FETO SUR to send a notice of warning to the shipowner about the conclusion of the ITF agreement.

«In addition, at the meeting with the crew, we told about the situation in Nakhodka in connection with the coronavirus pandemic and the precautions introduced in the city, and also advised the seafarers to visit the International Maritime Club in Nakhodka provided observations of the sanitary rules. There they can find a library with English-language literature and attend the concerts. Especially since the vessel will remain in the port for a long time»,- added Nikolay Sukhanov