Solidarity in action

The shipowner of the Bulk Orianna (IMO 9500039) uses a Panama flag of convenience to save on crew wages, Chairman of the Far Eastern Territorial Organization of the Seafarers’ Union of Russia, Nikolay Sukhanov argues. 

Yesterday, Technical Labor Inspectors of the Far Eastern Territorial Organization of the Seafarers’ Union of Russia visited a bulk carrier berthed in Nakhodka under a loading of coal cargo destined for Chinese ports. Its crew consists of 22 Vietnamese. There is no collective agreement available on board. 

The salary of an AB Seaman is $960 and the base rate is $344, which is almost half less the minimum wage recommended by the International Labor Organization. The captain earns $2,900, an absolutely negligible amount for the scope of knowledge, skills and responsibility required for this position.

Seafarers have individual contracts. Insurance certificates in accordance with the requirements of the Maritime Labor Convention are available. The Maritime Labor Compliance Declaration, Part II, is signed by the beneficiary shipowner, Nhat Viet Transportation Corp, (Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam).

-We have been very surprised by the insurance amounts in case of death on board, - Sukhanov continued. – The captain is insured for $80,000, and his insurance coverage in case of death from natural causes is $40,000; the officers are insured for $60,000 and $30,000 accordingly. As for the ratings, their insurance sums are $40,000 and $20,000 respectively. We have encountered such an insurance system for the first time for many years of trade union work.

Nikolay Sukhanov notes that the only good thing is that the crew members are aware of these sums, since most often seafarers don't even ask their employer about the insurance conditions.

– What is most striking is that the shipowner, having raised a flag of convenience on Bulk Orianna and recruited the Vietnamese, assures them that the national legislation of Vietnam is in force on the bulk carrier. We found this out while talking with the crew.

As it turns out, the Vietnamese crew members have never heard of flags of convenience and why they are preferred by many shipping companies. The FETO SUR representatives explained to them that the flag of convenience system allows shipowners to save a lot on seafarers, which, for example, is confirmed by the wage level of the crew on board the Bulk Orianna.

The crew have learned that maritime trade unions around the world seek to introduce uniform standards for seafarers of all nationalities on board all FOC vessels. Thus, the salary of an AB Seaman should not be less than $1,836, and the insured amount in case of death during the voyage should not be less than $110,000. 

The seafarers asked the FETO SUR representatives to send a notice to the Nhat Viet Transportation Corp company about the need to conclude a collective agreement that would take into account all the requirements of the seafarers' unions.

In addition to all the information, the crew received the latest issues of the “Maritime Unions Herald” magazine, books on the rights of seafarers working under flags of convenience and 2024 calendars.

We would like to add that SUR and the Vietnam Seafarers' Union have an agreement on support and assistance to seafarers in the ports of Russia and Vietnam.