The crew of the m/v SDL Maya supports the signing of the ITF collective agreement

Nikolay Sukhanov, Chairman of the Far Eastern Territorial Organization of the Seafarers Union of Russia is convinced that the company  Shinme Kisen Sangyo KK uses the flag of Panama on the ship SDL Maya (IMO 9384784) in order to save on the salary of the crewmembers. 

This vessel was visited by technical labor inspectors of the FETO SUR in Nakhodka.

«The crew consists of 13 seafarers -Japanese and Filipinos. The ship is not covered by ITF collective agreement. This fact, as well as the flag of convenience, gives the employer the opportunity to pay $618 to AB – an amount that does not even reach the minimum base rate recommended by the International Labor Organization»,- said N. Sukhanov. In addition, according to N. Sukhanov, the shipowner chose a convenient flag, because cheap registers do not ensure compliance with safe working conditions: «If the flag states were to monitor what is happening on ships, companies would have long lost interest in convenient flags».

During the visit to SDL Maya, the inspectors of the FETO SUR told the seafarers why it is important to adhere to a common policy regarding minimum social guarantees for crewmembers working on ships under a flag of convenience. «A shipowner who chooses a cheap register must respect the rights of seafarers to safe and well-paid work, regardless of the nationality of the employees. This is why the ITF collective agreement was developed. In case of evasion from negotiations on the signing of the agreement, the company's fleet may come under the close attention of ITF inspectors», - explains the chairman of the FETO SUR.

The inspectors of the FETO SUR contacted the ITF coordinator in Japan, Fusao Ohori, informing him that the crew supported the signing of a collective agreement that would improve working conditions. In addition, the FETO SUR sent a notice of warning to Shinme Kisen Sangyo KK about the need to conclude an ITF collective agreement.

It has already become known that the employer is ready to start negotiations and discuss the details. This was reported by Fusao Ohori.