The Technical Labor Inspection of Seafarers' Union of Russia continues to promptly advise seafarers and members of their families

The Technical Labor Inspection of Seafarers' Union of Russia defends the interests of seafarers regarding safety and health protection. Currently, it consists of four Technical Labor Inspectors. Last year, they took part in the investigation of 11 accidents involving union-member seafarers, and through their efforts, $130,000 was paid to injured crew members and family members of deceased seafarers. In total, SUR Technical Labor Inspectors acting in different regions of our country, visited 104 vessels in 2023.

The activity of the Technical Inspection goes beyond vessels only, it interacts with social partners – shipowners, together they work on improving the working conditions of seafarers. Thus, on behalf of SUR, the proposals on documents regulating safe work of ships' crews were submitted to the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Labour of the Russian Federation, the Russian Tripartite Commission.

In particular, amendments to the draft Federal Industrial Agreement on Maritime Transport for 2025-2028 and amendments to Appendix No. 2 to the draft Order of the Ministry of Labor of the Russian Federation “On approval of the methodology of a special assessment of working conditions, the Classifier of health and (or) safety hazards.”

Technical Labor Inspectors also take part in industry seminars, such as last year International Labor Forum in St. Petersburg, the seminar “Labor safety in maritime and water transport organizations”, the international forum “Occupational Safety and Health - 2023” and others.

A special assessment of working conditions with the participation of the SUR representatives was carried on board 6 vessels of Russian companies.

During the reporting period, 47 complaints regarding safe working conditions of seafarers were considered, and 45 of them were settled in favour of seafarers.

“We continue to work with crew members, students of advanced training courses for officers, and cadets of maritime education institutions,” - added the SUR Chief Technical Labor Inspector Evgeny Khizhnyak. – "We will continue to promptly advise seafarers and members of their families on a variety of issues, not only while visiting vessels, but also if they contact us by phone or email.

He added that the work for the benefit of seafarers is carried out in conjunction with other SUR specialists.

Photo – SUR