"Maritime Unions Herald": MLC recommends recognizing seafarers as key workers

The website of the Seafarers' Union of Russia has published an online version of the 3rd issue of the "Maritime Unions Herald". It contains everything about the upcoming increase in seafarers' wages, new amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention, the conclusion of a collective bargaining agreement between FESCO and SUR, as well as the successful protection of crew members' rights relating to compensations, repatriation and medical care. Separate articles are dedicated to how yachting helps cadets become real sailors, and an important date - the 300th anniversary of discovery by Russia of the route to the Pacific Ocean. 

The historical column contains materials about the lives of seafarers of the past, about finds raised from the bottom of the Baltic, and about Russia's role in global shipping. 

The heroes of the issue are also young sailors who continue the glorious traditions of the fleet. The issue opens with the "Trade Union Front" heading, the main material of which is about an increase in the minimum basic wage of an able seaman. 

Thus, associations of shipowners and seafarers' unions around the world have agreed that it will amount to $715 by January 1, 2028. From the following large analytical article, you can learn that the Maritime Labour Convention recommends recognizing seafarers as key workers, which should facilitate their repatriation, access to a shore leave and access to medical care in ports around the world, and also will protect them from violence and harassment on board. 

For its part, the collective bargaining agreement signed by FESCO and SUR guarantees decent working conditions for Russian seafarers and shore personnel of the Far Eastern Shipping Company. The article about this partnership considers the ways the SUR Primary Organization at PJSC "FESCO" will use to monitor the compliance with the collective bargaining agreement. 

A significant part of the magazine is dedicated to young people. The section “People of the Sea” features the story of cadet Sofia Galats from Siberia, who underwent shipboard training on river-sea vessels and the container ship “Kapitan Shchetinina”, as well as an essay about a cadet, a Seafarers' Union of Russia member, Vyacheslav Yakimov: he spoke about the role of weightlifting in the life of a sailor. 

The sports theme was supplemented by a report from the sailing and rowing regattas in St. Petersburg, where cadets have been showing their teamwork and seamanship skills for several years. 

The issue pays special attention to the economy. For example, the discussion by the Russian Tripartite Commission (RTC) of scenarios for the socio-economic development of Russia for 2026-2028. Readers can become acquainted with experts's forecasts concerning wages, inflation, the dollar exchange rate, and unemployment. 

"Pages of History" of the magazine tell a fascinating story about underwater archaeological finds in the Baltic Sea: ships built in the 18th–19th centuries that delivered wine, faience, and even smuggled goods. Also, a story telling how Russia opened the way to the Pacific Ocean has been published to coincide with the 300th anniversary of Vitus Bering's First Kamchatka Expedition. 

The full online version of the magazine is available at the link http://www.sur.ru/upload/journal/MPV__3_157_2025_razvoroty_na_sajt_compressed__1__filename_98_19_2542.pdf.