The salaries of seafarers have doubled following the visit of the SUR inspectors on board the vessel

This morning the m/v Inlaco Bright (IMO 9193862, Panama flag) left Nakhodka with crew on board which  has been working under the terms of the ITF collective agreement, - during the bulk carrier's stay at the port, the shipowner signed the document and adjust wages and working conditions of the seafarers to the international requirements.

The representatives of the SUR Far Eastern Territorial Organization visited the vessel on May 18, 2023, and found out a gap between the level of the crew's salaries and not only the requirements of the International Federation of Transport Workers but also the recommendations of the International Labor Organization. Thus, the basic rate of the AB Seaman was just  $237, and the insurance amount in case of a crew member's death has not been stipulated in any documents. The Seafarers'  Union of  Russia and the International Transport Workers' Federation demanded the  Inlaco Saigon to rectify the gross violations against the Vietnamese seafarers - the crew of Inlaco Bright, by signing a collective agreement.

The ITF and its affiliated maritime unions are known to advocate for every FOC vessel to be covered by the collective bargaining agreement that establishes a minimum wages and transparent terms of seafarers' employment.

“If shipowners are unable to comply with the requirements of the ITF, then they can operate under the national flag in accordance with the  national legislation,” - SUR FETO Chairman Nikolay Sukhanov explains. “However,  the company Inlaco Saigon opted for a flag of convenience that allows them to pay seafarers meager salaries, do not put any efforts to provide good working conditions and not to comply with the laws of their country,  in this case - Vietnam”.

At the request of the seafarers the SUR representatives sent a notice to Inlaco Saigon with the requierement to sign the ITF collective agreement with the trade union, or change the flag to the national one. In support of the demand for better working conditions the crew carried out an action against flags of convenience on board their vessel.

Following a notice stating that the vessel would be boycotted by ITF representatives in subsequent ports of call, the Vietnamese company agreed to sign a collective agreement and an ITF special agreement. Before  the departure of the m/v Inlaco Bright from Nakhodka the company has signed new individual contracts with all crew members on new working conditions.

Now the salary of the AB Seaman  is $1,836 and the insurance amount in case of a crew member's death is $110,000. Before the vessel  left the port, the Vietnamese crew expressed their gratitude to the Seafarers'  Union of  Russia for their help and support.

By the way,  this April in Tokyo the Summit of Asia-Pacific region maritime trade unions'  leaders took place, where the SUR representatives held  a working meeting with their  colleagues  from  the Seamen's union of Vietnam and agreed on  cooperation. The fraternal trade unions have quickly moved from words to actions.

Photo by SUR FETO