SUR collective agreement is not just a guarantee of decent employment, but also a key to quiet voyage

Inspectors of the Far Eastern Territorial Organization of the Seafarers’ Union of Russia visited a MV Fesco Paris (Russian flag, IMO 9261073, shipowner - PAO "Far Eastern Shipping Company") at the request of the SUR Primary Organization of PAO FESCO. The reason was the appeal of a SUR member: the seafarer reported problems with the provision for the galley and the provision of bedding to the crew, as well as with the assignment of duties of absent workers (positions) between the crew members.

The MV Fesco Paris arrived in Nakhodka from China with a cargo of cement. Its crew includes 17 Russian seafarers from Primorsk Territory. 

The captain provided the inspectors with  the SUR Primary Organization of PAO FESCO collective agreement, extended until December 31, 2024. According to the captain, there have not been any delays in payments of wages. The salary of an AB Seaman is about RUB160,000, the captain's salary is within RUB500,000. All crew members are insured against work accidents, and in accordance with Art. 60, paragraph 2 of the Merchant Shipping Code, the shipowner annually concludes contracts for voluntary life insurance of seafarers, providing for the payment of insurance amounts to the heirs of the insured person. The amount of the insurance amount is determined by the terms of the collective agreement and is of 110 minimum wages, or 15 minimum wages per each minor family member - on the date of the insured event. 

In addition, the SUR Primary Organization of PAO FESCO provides an accident insurance under the program "Personal protection" for the inter-voyages period for the seafarers – SUR members.

An inspection of the working conditions on board the  MV "Fesco Paris" revealed that by the time of the SUR representatives' visit all the problems stated  by the seafarer in his appeal to the union had been resolved by the company. Thus, water for cooking is supplied in bottles, and the seamen  were instructed to assist the ship's cook in cleaning the galley and the  mess room.

The FETO SUR Inspectors answered questions from the crew members and told them about the activities of the Seafarers' Union of Russia. The seafarers were given fresh magazines  "Maritime Unions Herald", books which tell about the activities of SUR and The SUR calendars. 

SUR emphasizes that the SUR collective agreement not gust regulates the obligations of the parties, wages, repatriation and other labor issues, but also guarantees a quiet voyage, because if any controversial situations arise, you can and should contact the trade union for their resolution.

Photo: FETO SUR