Trade union solidarity in action

Trade union solidarity is not  hollow words – this was witnessed by five Russian seafarers  from the m/v Oslo Forest 2 who asked the assistance in repatriation upon the expiration of their contracts. The Seafarers’ Union of Russia, the Inspectors of the International Transport Workers' Federation from Sweden, Norway and Germany joined efforts to arrange the repatriation for these crew members. At the same time, it should be noted that the Port State Control (PSC) and the police service of the Kiel Canal played a magor role in the return of Russian citizens home.

When the seafarers  turned to the SUR for assistance, the m/v Oslo Forest 2 was in Sweden. They worried about the repatriation: their employment contracts were about to expire, and the vessel was scheduled to sail to North Africa. In such circumstances Sweden seemed to be a more convenient place to  sign off from the vessel. Moreover, it was stated in the seafarers’ contracts that they were valid for five months (+/- two), and the repatriation should be organized at a port which is deemed convenient.

The seven-month period of work on board  was coming to an end, but there were no information about the forthcoming signing-off from the vessel, that’s why the seafarers  contacted the SUR. The Seafarers’ Union of Russia  involved colleagues from the ITF to address the issue. At the request of the Swedish  colleagues the  Port State Control Officers visited the m/v Oslo Forest 2, it should be mentioned that to reach the vessel they covered no less than 400 km. Following the inspection the owner and the manager of the vessel received an order to sign-off the Russian seafarers from the vessel. It was decided to make it in the Kiel Canal. By the way, since m/v Oslo Forest 2 was registered in the second Norwegian register, the Norwegian ITF Inspector also held negotiations with the shipowner: the company assured him  that the Russian crew members would be signed -off from the vessel  as agreed.

A few days later, while approaching the Kiel Canal, it turned out that the employer was unable to fulfill this promise. Therefore, the PSC, the ITF and this time the  police service were again intervene  the situation. Following the visit of police on board the shipowner has found the possibility to sign-off  two seafarers off in the Kiel Canal, the rest three seafarers  agreed to proceed to the next port of call and to sign-off from the vessel  in North Africa. As  known all five seafarers  have already returned home.

Upon their return home they thanked the SUR for their help, and the Seafarers' Union of Russia, in turn, expressed their gratitude to their ITF colleagues, in particular to Susan Linderkamp, ITF Assistant Coordinator in Germany, for the assistance to Russian seafarers.