Greek shipowner agrees to enter negotiations on signing an ITF collective agreement

Swissmarine Inc was prompted to do this by an inspection carried on board the m/v Aeolian Grace (Cyprus flag, IMO 9298258) at the port of Vostochny - today Inspectors of Far Eastern Territorial Organization of the Seafarers’ Union of Russia (FETO SUR) visited a bulk carrier berthed under coal loading.

According to  FETO SUR Chairman Nikolay Sukhanov, the registered owner of the vessel is Zefxo Maritime Ltd, an operator and employer that pays salaries to the crew and has signed the Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance, Part II, - a  Greek company Swissmarine Inc. The crew of the bulk carrier consists of 3 Russians (a captain, a chief officer and an electrician) and 17 Filipinos. The basic rate of the AB Seaman is   $658, the salary is $1415, the captain earns $9200.

“The captain showed us a collective agreement signed with the Cypriot trade union, but not approved by the International Transport Workers' Federation, then we asked off-duty crew members  to gather in the mess-room,” - Sukhanov told.

The crew members were told that the vessel was flying a flag of convenience and was not covered by  an ITF collective agreement.

- Often it means that seafarers receive lower  wages and work under conditions that are contrary to both labor contracts and international standards,  - FETO SUR Chairman explained. -  It is expected that the flag state that issued the license to operate the vessel will require the shipowner to comply with at least the minimum standards adopted in shipping. However, experience has proven that it does not happen. Of course, attempts to independently or as part of regional alliances to monitor the technical condition of vessels  are worthy of respect, but these efforts either do not take into account the rights and interests of seafarers or do, but indirectly - as part of measures on environment protection

The seafarers  have taken a lively interest in how it is possible to influence the Greek employer in this situation.

- For that we need a collective agreement approved by the ITF, -  Sukhanov explained. - If it is available, he salary of the AB Seaman will be $1,836 and the insurance amount in case of a crew member's death will be  $110,000. And that's just the salary. In addition, the collective agreement clearly establishes the rights and obligations of the parties, and problems arising on board of vessels are routinely settled by ITF Inspectors or national seafarers' unions.

At the request of the crew of the bulk carrier, the FETO SUR sent a notice to Swissmarine Inc about the need to conclude a collective agreement with the Hellenic Seafarers' Union. The shipowner was also warned that in case of evading the negotiations, the m/v Aeolian Grace could be boycotted in the following ports of call.

- In response we received a message from the Greek ITF Coordinator that the company contacted the national trade union to start negotiations on signing the agreement, - Nikolay Sukhanov said. - We hope that in the very near future the collective agreement will be concluded, and the seafarers will be reliably protected.

SUR FETO Inspectors handed the crew the latest issues of the “Maritime Unions  Herald” magazine and  books on the rights of seafarers working on vessels  flying flags of convenience. 

Photo by FETO SUR