Sailors complain of terrible conditions on board ships in Izmail

The sailors have already submitted several appeals to the ITF and Marine Transport workers Trade Union regarding the terrible working conditions on the ship, which was recently in the port of Izmail.

Last week, the ITF inspector in Ukraine and the seamen’s trade union received several appeals with complaints about the owner of the vessel Zuzanna, which was recently at one of the private terminals in the waters of the Izmail port, the Marine Transport workers Trade Union reported.

The crew members complain about non-payment of wages and terrible working conditions, in particular, the poor technical condition of the ship and the lack of provisions.

The ship Zuzanna was built in 1982. It was used to transport agricultural products within the Grain Agreement from Ukraine to the ports of Turkey and Romania. Crew members (both decommissioned and those currently on board) report continued disregard for legitimate seafarers’ claims and demands by the ship’s owner and operator.

The Portuguese company with which the sailors signed labor contracts also did not respond to the request. Meanwhile, overseas employment agencies continue to offer jobs on this vessel to seafarers in dire straits.

Having read the text of the labor contract of one of the former crew members, Marine Transport workers Trade Union does not recommend seafarers to work on the ship.

According to the contract, the captain’s salary is $4,500 and consists of a basic part of $3,500 and a bonus ($1,000), which is calculated at the discretion of the company and paid at the end of the contract. As practice shows, sailors do not even receive the main part of their salary, not to mention bonuses. Expecting the assistance of the Administration of the flag of the vessel, given the jurisdiction, also does not make sense.

The Marine Transport workers Trade Union reminded: before signing an employment contract, it is necessary to carefully check the ship and the companies related to it.