SUR representatives visited m/v Merida at the port of Nakhodka

On Tuesday, November 14, Inspectors of the Far Eastern Territorial Organization of the Seafarers’ Union of Russia (FETO SUR) visited the m/v "Merida" berthed at the port of Nakhodka. According to Nikolay Sukhanov, the FETO SUR Chairman, the vessel was built in 2008, the registered owner is the Russian company SK “Nakhodka” LLC, and the operator is Eastern Meridian Pte Ltd from Singapore. The crew consists of 17 seafarers from the Primorsky Region, two of them are cadets. An AB Seaman salary is $1,650, and a captain's salary is $5,000.

The employment contracts of the crew members are not in compliance with Russian law. Firstly, they are paid salary in dollars, whereas they should receive money in the national currency - roubles (the ship is registered under the Russian flag). Besides, during the inspection the SUR representatives have revealed backpay for two months, moreover, it turned out, that the shipowner did not pay taxes, as well as social fund and pension contributions.

“The crew members have no idea of the insurance amount due to them in case of an accident,” - Nikolay Sukhanov explained. The FETO SUR Chairman told the seafarers about the activities of the trade union and offered to join the organisation. Membership Applications have been brought on board the vessel. “In the short term the management of the shipping company “Nakhodka” will be notified of the necessity to repay wage arrears as soon as possible and redraw all seafarers’ employment contracts, taking into account they are Russian-flagged, prior to the ship's departure,” - Nikolay Sukhanov added. Meanwhile, the Nakhodka Transport Prosecutor's Office has already been informed of a labor legislation violation on board the vessel.

The SUR Inspectors told the crew about the activity of the trade union and gave them the latest issues of the “Maritime Unions Herald”. Also, at the request of the crew, the FETO SUR representatives promised to initiate negotiations with the shipowner to conclude a collective agreement for the company’s Russian-flagged vessels.