The crew of m/v "Kardam" thanked SUR for their concern

Inspectors of the Far Eastern Territorial Organization of the Seafarers’ Union of Russia visited the bulk carrier "Kardam" (flag of Liberia, IMO 9474668) berthed at the port of Nakhodka for coal loading destined for Pusan. The crew consisted of 22 seafarers: 13 of them are Russians - the Captain from Moscow, the Chief Officer from Sevastopol, the Chief Engineer from Arkhangelsk, the rest from Novorossiysk and Kerch, six Filipinos and three Georgians. Our seafarers had been recruited through the St. Petersburg-based crewing company Baltic Shipping.

According to Nikolay Sukhanov, FETO SUR Chairman, the salary of an AB Seaman is $1,843, and a captain's salary is $9,000. Insurance certificates, as required by the Maritime Labor Convention, are available on board. Also, a Declaration of Maritime Labor Compliance, Part II is in place on board, it contains information about a beneficiary shipowner - Green Seeds General Trading Co (Oman).

- In case of death during a voyage, the lives of crew members sailors are insured for USD60,000, also, their children under the age of 21 would receive compensation in the amount USD15,000, - Sukhanov added . – The crew is aware of these amounts – they are indicated in their individual contracts. Though the crew members have not any complaints about delays in wages payments or working conditions, the FETO SUR representatives told the seafarers that maritime trade unions around the world inspect vessels under the flags of convenience to ensure the rights of seafarers on board such vessels are observed. Besides, the trade unions seek that shipowners set the minimum base rate recommended by the International Labor Organization and guarantee safe working conditions for crews.

Nikolay Sukhanov added that the Seafarers’ Union of Russia is currently negotiating with the company to conclude the SUR collective agreement. Once the document is signed, the seafarers will receive legal guarantees to their rights. The FETO SUR representatives gave the crew the latest issues of the “Maritime Unions Herald” magazine, books on the rights of seafarers working under flags of convenience and 2024 calendars.

“We offered those Russian seafarers who are not SUR members to join the trade union and invited all the crew to visit the International Marine Club to change of scenery and get away from their working routine,” - Nikolay Sukhanov said.