Seafarers run risks when they work on vessel without a collective agreement

Only a collective agreement on board makes the working conditions of crew members transparent, establishes decent wages, disability or death insurance cover, and also guarantees protection and support of the trade union. 

The crew of the dry cargo ship Polar King (Russian-flagged) have assured themselves of this. Inspectors of the Far Eastern Regional Organization of the Seafarers' Union of Russia visited the vessel at the port of Nakhodka, where the dry cargo ship was loaded with brucite bound for the UAE. 

Representatives of the trade union found out that the vessel is owned by the Arkhangelsk-based company Eco Shipping. The crew of MV Polar King consists of 17 people, the majority of them live in Arkhangelsk. The ship's captain, a Seafarers' Union of Russia member, showed the Inspectors the employment agreements of the crew members. According to the employment agreement, the salary of an AB seaman on board the vessel is about RUB57,000: the amount consists of a salary of RUB32,000, a regional coefficient of RUB6,400, a northern allowance of RUB16,000 and a hardship pay of RUB1,280. However, according to the seafarers, they earn more - up to 130 thousand rubles per month due to overtime. 

- The problem is that if wage arrears arise, the court will award a salary amount stipulated in the contract, which is just RUB57,000, not RUB130,000, - the Chairman of the Far Eastern Regional Organization of the Seafarers' Union of Russia Nikolay Sukhanov explained.

Another serious problem is the lack of a collective agreement with the seafarers' union. - According to the law, the shipowner is obliged to insure the life and health of the crew, - Sukhanov emphasized. - However, in case of a seafarer's death as a result of an accident , his family will receive compensation from the Social Insurance Fund. In case of death, for example, from a heart attack, there will be no payments. It turns out that the seafarers and their families are not fully protected in the event of injury or death on board the ship. 

The captain confirmed that there is no collective agreement with SUR on board the Polar King, though there are SUR members among the crew. Following the meeting with the Inspectors, the crew asked the SUR to initiate negotiations on signing a collective agreement with the employer. "It is important for us to have our rights protected," they noted. "Especially if something happens."