North-Western Shipping Company comments on delay of loading in Finland
North-Western Shipping Company (NWSC OJSC) has published explanations concerning distorted information published by certain media about the delay of loading NWSC vessels in Finland.
The information relates to the events of March 10, 2014 when loading/unloading operations at NWSC vessel were illegally terminated at the port of Pori (Finland) by the representatives of the Finnish Seamen's Union (FSU), a member of the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITWF).
NWSC was unfoundedly accused by FSU representatives of noncompliance with ILO requirements to guarantee the minimum monthly basic wage for seafarers at $585. FSU representatives also demanded that NWSC sign a new collective arrangement with ITF and threatened with termination of the loading in case the demand is not fulfilled, which actually happened.
Following the incident, NWSC went to the local court of Finland which acknowledged FSU actions as illegal (decision as of March 11, 2014) and ordered to resume the loading operations.
In this context, North-Western Shipping Company OJSC states that present interests of NWSC seamen are represented by the Water Transport Trade Union of the Russian Federation in compliance with the collective labour agreement. The Union is not an associated member of ITF. NWSC seamen are not in the lists of ITF/FSU. Therefore, ITF/FSU is not authorized to carry out inspection of compliance with ILO requirements in the territory of Finland while the information about NWSC seamen’s minimum wages is unfounded and inaccurate. Each vessel flying the flag of the Russian Federation and operated by NWSC is certified under Maritime Labor Convention, 2006. Minimum monthly basic wage for able seafarers of NWSC is $585.
North-Western Shipping Company considers ITF/FSU actions as a willful attempt to cause economic and reputational damage to the company.
