Vietnamese shipowner Inlaco Saigon is constant in paying meager wages

This was discovered by the inspectors of the Far Eastern Territorial Organization of the Seafarers’ Union of Russia. Last February the SUR FETO representatives visited the m/v Inlaco Accord, owned by a  Ho Chi Minh-based company and found out that an AB Seaman basic wage  was just USD252. 

However, today's visit on board the bulk carrier Inlaco Bright (IMO 9193862, flag of Panama, 1999-built), berthed at  Nakhodka,  revealed that the shipowner was able to hit  new low:  the AB Seaman basic wage was  USD237 (total wages - USD956). Thus, working conditions on board company's vessel which are not covered  by the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) collective bargaining agreement are deteriorating year by year.

There are currently 24 Vietnamese crew members on board. Although the m/v/  Inlaco Bright operates under the flag of convenience of Panama and is not subject to Vietnamese laws, seafarers' employment agreements contain  reference to them. The captain's total salary reaches USD3125.

Speaking to the seafarers, the  FETO SUR representatives paid special attention to the reasons for far from the best situation on board. “The main requirement of the ITF is that a FOC vessel should have a collective agreement, which, among other things, establishes the minimum acceptable employment conditions,” - Nikolay Sukhanov, FETO SUR Chairman, said. “In particular, the monthly salary of an AB Seaman should  be at least USD1,830, and the minimum amount of insurance payment in case of death or injury should be at least USD110,000. Meanwhile, the crew of m/v Inlaco Bright even don't know how much they're entitled to. If shipowners are unable to meet ITF wage requirements, they can operate under the national flag in accordance with their national laws. However, in this case the company opted for a flag of convenience that allows to pay seafarers  meager salaries, not to make efforts to provide good conditions and not to comply with the laws of their country.”

Union representatives told the seafarers about their rights and handed them books in English that cover this topic in more detail, as well as the fresh magazines "Maritime Unions Herald" telling about  activities of  ITF and SUR.

The crew members asked the SUR representatives to send a notice to the Vietnamese shipowner on  the need to sign the ITF collective agreement with the Vietnamese seafarers' union, or change the flag to the national one. Then  they held an action against flags of convenience on the stern of the vessel.

It should be noted that recently in Tokyo the Summit of Asia-Pacific region maritime trade unions'  leaders took place, where the SUR representatives held  a working meeting with the President of the Seamen's union of Vietnam. This meeting resulted in reaching  an  cooperation agreement on protecting the rights and interests of seafarers working in the Asia-Pacific region.