ITF Collective Bargaining Agreement - protection during voyage

The Seafarers' Union of Russia, the German trade union Ver.di and the Inspectorate of the International Transport Workers' Federation in St. Petersburg joined efforts to help a crew member of M/V Pia to return home at the shipowner's expense  before the expiry of his contract 

The Russian seafarer needed repatriation for family reasons which he explained in the report sent to the company. However, there was no decision at his request for more than a month. Then the seafarer  turned to  SUR.

The M/V Pia is covered by the collective bargaining agreement thanks to which it was possible to enter negotiations with the employer and reach an agreement. As a result the situation worked out for the seafarer' favor. 

Even though the seafarer’s employment contract was still in effect, the shipowner met the full cost of the seafarer’ repatriation and paid him all due wages.

The Seafarers' Union of Russia highlights that the main protection for a seafarer during a voyage is the ITF-approved  collective bargaining agreement. This is also testified by numerous unforeseen situations crew members are faced.