The crew of MV Magnet Team wants to work on a vessel covered by a SUR collective agreement

Inspectors of the Far Eastern Territorial Organization of the Seafarers’ Union of Russia (FETO SUR) checked the working and living conditions of the crew members of the bulk carrier Magnet Team (Panamanian flag, IMO 9233507), berthed at Nakhodka seaport to load coal destined for Indian ports. The crew consists of 21 seafarers: Russians, Azerbaijanis and Indians. 

According to Nikolay Sukhanov, FETO SUR Chairman, the registered owner of the bulk carrier is Magnet Team Corp. from Istanbul, Turkey, the operator and beneficial owner signed the Declaration of Maritime Labor Compliance Part II is Trans Bulk Deizcilik AS, also from Istanbul. -Russian seafarers have been employed through Transbalt crewing agency in Nizhny Novgorod, - Sukhanov added. — The salary of an AB Seaman from Russia is USD1,600 with a basic rate of USD800, the salary of a turner from India is USD850 with a basic rate of USD400. Daily meal allowance on board MV Magnet Team is USD8 per crew member. For Russians, the insurance amount for total disability is USD50,000. The crew members of the bulk carrier are insured in the "Ingosstrakh" (Moscow). 

The seafarers were happy to talk with SUR representatives and asked a lot of questions, including those related to the activities of the Seafarers' Union of Russia. Also, they asked to recommend them where to go out in Nakhodka to spend nice and quality time. 

The Inspectors invited them to visit International Marine Club, they can get there by a free bus: the Club organizes a city tour and a trip to the countryside for barbecue. To spend time this way, a captain should make a request through the ship's agent. Answering the seafarers' questions about the activities of SUR, the Inspectors told them about a campaign on negotiating collective agreements, in particular on vessels flying flags of convenience. Nikolay Sukhanov noted that maritime trade unions around the world are fighting the flags of convenience system. For this purpose, minimum social protection standards were developed and approved, which shipowners must guarantee to seafarers by signing a collective agreement. These standards include the amount of wages and the amount of insurance payouts. Thus, the salary of an AB Seaman should be at least USD1,830, and the amount of compensation in case of a seafarer's death while on a voyage should be no less than USD110,000. 

“This can be achieved together,” the FETO SUR Head highlighted. — By joining a trade union, the whole crew can declare their rights and get a collective agreement signed. The crew asked FETO SUR to send the owner of the bulk carrier Magnet Team a notice with a request to sign a collective agreement with the Seafarers' Union of Russia.