Blumenthal's vessels still have not ITF collective agreement on board

In addition, the shipowner forbids seafarers from contacting trade union representatives. This was reported to the Inspectors of the Far Eastern Territorial Organization of the Seafarers’ Union of Russia (FETO SUR) by the captain of the bulk carrier Anna-Meta (flag of the Cayman Islands, IMO 9514406), which is under coal loading coal at the port of Vostochny. In support of this information he provided a written statement from the crew members indicating they did not want to cooperate with the unions. Nikolay Sukhanov, FETO SUR Chairman, is sure that this statement has no legal effect, as it was written under pressure from the employer.

The registered owner of the bulk carrier is Profit Maritime Ltd, Germany, and the operator and beneficial owner is Blumenthal Asia Pte Ltd, Singapore. The Anna-Meta crew consists of 18 sailors: five Ukrainians, including the captain, four Russians - the first mate, the third mate, the chief mechanic, an electrician and nine sailors from Sri Lanka.

- We managed to talk with Russian crew members  - they are from Nakhodka and Vladivostok, - Sukhanov told. - Interestingly, the seafarers  have no idea about the statement that the captain showed. They were willing  to talk to us and noted that they support the  of the International Transport Workers' Federation's policy against FOCs.

The FETO SUR representatives explained to the seafarers that the shipowner deliberately uses  flag of convenience  to save on crew wages. Moreover, he makes illegal actions, forcing the crew to sign papers stating that they do not want to contact representatives of the ITF or any national maritime unions.

-In fact, the crews of  Blumenthal's vessels earn lower wages than the ITF sets for a flag of convenience fleet,” - the head of the SUR FETO noted. - In accordance with the ITF requirements, the salary of the AB Seaman  should be  $1,836 and the insurance amount in case of a crew member's death should be  $110,000.

No wonder, the crew asked the SUR representatives to send a notice to the company with request to sign the ITF collective agreement.

Let us recall, that Blumenthal came under scrutiny years ago for its unwillingness to work with seafarers' unions and the ITF to sign a flag of convenience agreement for its fleet. But the situation really deteriorated  in 2018, when, one after another, the company's ships began to be delayed in ports around the world due to the terrible working conditions on board. For example, the crew of the bulk carrier Lita had to collect rainwater in a tarp because they ran out of fresh water and there were no new supplies. This was evidenced  by the  photograph that fall into the hands of the ITF. And the salary of the ratings  on board the bulk carrier Anna-Elisabeth ranged from $300 to $585.

Nikolay Sukhanov added that Blumenthal's stance on seafarers' working conditions could lead to the ITF boycotting the company's fleet in all ports of call.

The Union representatives handed to the crew of the  m/v Anna-Meta  books on the rights of seafarers working on vessels  flying flags of convenience and the latest issues of the “Maritime Unions  Herald” telling, among others, about the activity of the SUR and the ITF.

Photo by FETO SUR