M/V Hanna isn’t covered by the ITF Collective Bargaining Agreement

This was revealed by by Nikolai Sukhanov, the Chairman of the Far Eastern Territorial Organization of the Seafarers’  Union of Russia. That’s why  the crew working on board the m/v Hanna (IMO 9210713, flag of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, 2001-built) are paid low wages: the basic rate for the AB seaman is USD599, which is even less than the minimum level recommended by the International Labor Organization of USD641. The salary for the Captain is USD4,300 per month.

“According to him, the company has in place  a collective agreement signed with the Water Transport Workers’Union (PRWT), and the crew are members of it, although they could not show us the agreement,” Nikolai Sukhanov said. “ However, the PRWT, unlike the SUR, is not an ITF affiliated member as it was previously expelled for violation of requirements and policy of compromise in relation to shipowners. Therefore, at the moment, the ITF does not recognize the  collective agreements of that Union. It is worth noting that the salary for the AB seaman working on board the vessel covered by the ITF collective agreement is USD1800 at least. As for the AB Seaman of m/v Hanna, his salary is just USD1200.

FETO SUR Inspectors visited the ship  berthed at the fishing port of Nakhodka for unloading alumina delivered from China. The registered shipowner is the Cyprus-based Selet Marine LTD, while the ship operator is the Russian company  Selet Marine Vanino CO LTD which is based in the port of Vanino. The crew consists from 15 Russian seafarers  and one Ukrainian.

-The atmosphere on board the vessel is good enough, - Nikolai Sukhanov emphasized. – During the meeting we answered the questions of the crew members, handed them  magazines “Maritime Union’s Herald” and books on the rights of seafarers working on ships flying flags of convenience. We also sent a notice to the company demanding to conclude a collective bargaining agreement with an affiliated member of the ITF - the SUR - and invited the seafarers to join the union by themselves.