The crew of the m/v SDL Maya thanks the SUR once again

Former crew members of the m/v SDL Maya received the second installment of wage arrears in the amount of $165,000, according to letters of guarantee from Shinme Kisen Sangyo KK. The seafarers have informed the Seafarers' Union of Russia at once and thanked the SUR for their support and assistance in a settlement of the labor dispute.

Recall that on June 22, 2023, during an inspection in the port of Nakhodka, it turned out that the vessel  was operating without a collective agreement of the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF), the basic wage for an AB Seaman was $618 (total salary was $1,127), the captain’s salary was $3,417, and nine crew members had been working on board for more than 14 months, which is a violation of all human standards and requirements of the Maritime Labor Convention. As a result of the joint actions of the Port State Control of Nakhodka and inspectors of the Far Eastern Territorial Organization of SUR (FETO SUR), the issue of  crew change has got moving.

The  company-operator, Japanese Shinme Kisen Sangyo KK, assured that it would arrange replacement for the 12 crew members at the next port of call and pay off wage arrears either.

Indeed, on June 28, 2023, the seafarers  flew to Manila from Tokyo. As for the debt, the employer  transferred $75,000 to the seafarers' accounts at once. He promised to pay the second part in the amount of $165,000 at the end of July 2023, which was confirmed by a letter of guarantee.

“We, the former crew members of the SDL Maya, would like to express our gratitude and appreciation for your support and advice we were receiving until the final settlement of the situation,” - the seafarers  wrote to the SUR.