Salary of crew on board MV Mi Shan depends on nationality

Inspectors of the Far Eastern Territorial Organization of the Seafarers’ Union of Russia (FETO SUR) visited the bulk carrier Mi Shan (flag of Panama, IMO 9995376), berthed at Nakhodka commercial seaport under the loading of lead concentrate in bags. The vessel, built in China in 2024, called at this port for the first time. Though the Mi Shan is a new and modern ship, the working conditions on board the bulk carrier clearly do not meet today's realities. The salary for a Chinese AB Seaman is USD1,150, and the salary for a Burmese AB Seaman is USD850 only. The FETO SUR Chairman Nikolay Sukhanov believes that differences in wages depending on nationality are not acceptable. The crew of Mi Shan consists of 13 seafarers - 11 from China and two from Myanmar. They have individual contracts. Before being employed, the crew members were made aware of the “Standard Conditions of Seafarers' Employment” containing the basic rights and responsibilities of workers and the shipowner. It is worth noting that the standard conditions of employment contract stipulate the work in accordance with Chinese law, including the procedure and amount of compensation payments in case of death during the period of employment. Representatives of the Union explained to the crew that since the vessel is flying the flag of Panama, the laws of this particular country apply on board. Nikolay Sukhanov explained that the flag of Panama serves as a legal fact that allows the national law of the flag state to be applied to legal relations arising on board the vessel. “The seafarers' national laws – of China and Myanmar - cannot apply to relationships between the employer and the crew members on board the MV Mi Shan,” he emphasized. In addition, the head of FETO SUR touched upon another important topic. It concerns the salaries of crew members. “Seafarers are often deceived regarding the level of wages and are hired on conditions that explicitly contradict both employment contracts and international conventions signed by the Flag State of the vessel,” - Sukhanov noted. — Maritime trade unions recommend shipowners registered their vessels under the flags of convenience, to conclude collective agreements. According to the document, the salary for an AB Seaman should be USD1,836 at least, and the insurance payout in case of a crew member's death on a voyage should be no less than USD110,000.” It remains to add that FETO SUR will send a warning to the operator and beneficial shipowner, the Chinese company Smooth Sailing Ship Management, requiring to conclude a collective agreement with the Chinese Seafarers' Union. In addition to the meeting, representatives of the trade union handed over to the crew books in English about the rights of seafarers working on ships flying flags of convenience, the latest issues of the “Maritime Unions Herald” magazine and FETO SUR calendars for 2024. The crew of the dry cargo ship was invited to the Nakhodka International Marine Club, to get there the seafarers can by free bus which is provided at the request from captain.

Photo – FETO SUR