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          Shipping Stevedoring Port Services Hydrocarbons Diving  Sep-Oct 2008 
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New global agreement for seafarers17 November 2003By International Transport Workers' Federation -
A new global agreement covering the wages and working conditions of more than 50,000 seafarers was concluded in San Francisco on 13 November by the International Bargaining Forum (IBF) made up of the Joint Negotiating Group (JNG) representing global shipowners and shipmanagers; and the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) representing seafarers. The agreement, which now goes for final endorsement by the policy making bodies of both groups, follows a year of intensive negotiations in different parts of the world. The package which results from the process moves away from the single 'benchmark' for an Able Seamen's wages which has for many years marked the minimum standards set by the ITF for flag of convenience ships, to a wider set of wage and social benefits including important improvements in compensation for disability or death and which gives greater flexibility for national negotiations within a global set and verified framework. Based on a 'model ship' with 23 crew, the new agreement provides an increase on the minimum levels of the existing ITF/IMEC Total Crew Cost (TCC) agreement of $2173 a month - equivalent to two extra days' leave and subsistence. There will also be a further increase of $1247 related to the cost of improvements in medical and sickness benefits and death and disability compensation. The Agreement also provides new provisions ensuring that seafarers will not face pressure to carry out cargo handling or other work normally done in port by skilled and qualified dockworkers. The agreement provides a number of concrete benefits for IBF members which will not be available to other companies covered by ITF acceptable agreements, let alone for those without any such agreements. The maximum percentage of the total wage package which can, by local agreement, be allocated to social educational or training benefits for seafarers is increased from 10 to 15%; a new shipboard disputes procedure to resolve problems which arise for IBF members' ships has been established, and the ITF will issue a 'Green Certificate' to IBF members and will ensure that its worldwide network of inspectors concentrate most of their attention on non IBF ships. The ITF has also agreed that 5% of the contributions made by IBF members to its Seafarers' International Welfare Assistance and Protection Fund will be paid into a special account jointly administered by the ITF and the JNG and which will be used exclusively for seafarers employed on the ships covered by the IBF agreement to provide benefits such as on board welfare facilities, crew communications and assistance or for crew members' families. "This is a unique step forward in establishing minimum conditions in what has become the world's first global industry" said ITF General Secretary David Cockroft. "Following long and intense negotiations, the result is a win-win situation. The seafarers covered by the Agreement will have better social and health benefits as well as better wages, and the national ITF affiliates will have more flexibility to negotiate conditions which match local circumstances. Seafarers' Section Chair Brian Orrell, who led the ITF negotiating team, said " "We have achieved a major change in the way this industry operates. For the companies which are members of the IBF, there is an atmosphere of trust and confidence which allows us to concentrate the attention of our inspectors on bad ship operators who make money by employing seafarers under substandard conditions and often then abandoning them." The Joint Negotiating Group (JNG) which comprises the International Maritime Employers' Committee (IMEC) and the International Mariners Management Committee of Japan (IMMAJ) also welcomed the result. Noburo Kayahara of IMMAJ said "There have been times when I doubted whether this result could be achieved, given the radically different views expressed by each side, but the overall results shows that the process we have started can produce results which are beneficial to both sides". Roberto Aglieto of IMEC added "This is the first agreement of its kind in any industry and it shows how progressive shipping can be when reputable employers and responsible trade unions are prepared to sit down together to work out their problems. The outcome brings the industrial relations system in shipping into the 21st Century and will encourage more individual companies and ship owner organizations to want to join us."
For further information
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