The campaign against flags of convenience (FOC) has started today in the seaports of the Far East, RIA Novosti reports. It has been organized by International Transport Federation (ITF). According to Nickolai Sukhanov, Chairman of the Far East regional organization of Russia’s Maritime Trade Union (ITF member), the campaign’s purpose is to provide better conditions for seamen working at the vessels registered under the flags of the third world states. This group of states includes North Korea, Georgia, Cambodia, Panama, Mongolia and other countries providing off-shore privileges for foreign ship-owners. Most ship-owners of such vessels do not sign collective agreement with the crew, which get very low salary, often back-paid, and which work in very difficult conditions. Such ship-owners prevent their seamen from joining trade unions.
Currently, about 95 FOC vessels sail between Vladivostok, Nakhodka and ports of Japan and South Korea. Maritime Trade Union inspectors jointly with representatives of transport prosecutor’s office, immigration service and dock workers union are to estimate work conditions of the crew, their salaries and back payment as well as availability of collective agreement with trade unions, Sukhanov tells. According to him, the violations detected will result in boycott entailing termination of all cargo operations at the vessel.