For dedicated service with the Seafarers' Union of Russia

The Chief Technical Labor Inspector of the Seafarers' Union of Russia, Evgeny Khizhnyak, has been awarded the "The SUR Badge of Honor". 

The corporate award recognizes contributions to the growth of the union movement and active advocacy for the employment rights of Russian seafarers. Evgeny Khizhnyak has been working in the Seafarers' Union of Russia for 29 years. 

For almost three decades, he has been giving safety briefings for crews setting up for a voyage and lectures to cadets - future navigators. Besides, he has worked closely with shipping companies and crewing agencies and has consulted on investigating marine accidents involving seafarers. 

The colleagues point out that Evgeny Khizhnyak is an exceptional specialist, one of the few who are knowledgeable about labor safety issues and comprehend the complexities of Russian legislation, specifically the section of the Labor Code that regulates labor safety issues.

— This award shows that I and my colleagues — technical labor inspectors of the regional/territorial organizations of the SUR Evgeny Bangret and Valentin Zherebtsov — have contributed a lot into creating decent and safe working conditions for the seafarers, and obliges us to intensify our efforts in the interests of the seafarers working on board vessels of Russian and foreign companies, — the SUR Chief Technical Labor Inspector said.

He reiterated that the primary objective of the trade union is to guarantee that seafarers receive decent wages and return home from voyages alive and well.