New standard issued: Seafarers should be paid during isolation, base salary increased by 7%

"Labor Treatment Standards for Seafarers during COVID-19 Prevention and Control" were officially released, and the minimum base salary for Chinese seafarers will increase by 7%.

 

On November 22, Chinese Seamen & Construction Workers' Union and China Shipowners' Association reached an agreement on labor treatment standards for seafarers during the prevention and control of COVID-19, and officially issuing "Labor Treatment Standards for Seafarers during COVID-19 Prevention and Control".

 

This is China's first labor treatment standard established through industry consultation during the epidemic. The "Standard" will be implemented from January 1, 2022.

 

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, sea routes have been busy, and crew members and shipping companies have been under greater pressure. After boarding the ship, the crew cannot go to land for activities, and they have been on the ship continuously for up to 8 months. After the expiration of the contract, they will also face problems such as centralized isolation and overseas detention. In order to do a good job in ship management and crew rights protection during the epidemic prevention and control period, reduce maritime labor disputes, and maintain the stability of the crew team, Chinese Seamen & Construction Workers' Union drafted the "standard" based on extensive consultation and submitted it to Chinese Crew Collective Consultative Conference for discussion , released after consensus.

 

The "Standard" stipulates in detail the special circumstances involved in various aspects of the crew's work on the ship during the epidemic. There are 14 articles and 6 aspects, including the basis for the formulation of the "Standard", the scope of application, the equipment for ship epidemic prevention, and the wages, related expenses and payment methods during medical observation or overseas stay, calculation of crew's public holidays, epidemic prevention subsidies and food subsidies during the epidemic period, etc., provide a basis for ensuring the crew's wage income, rest and vacation rights, and the quality of life on board.

 

During the epidemic, the "Standard" will be an annex to "The Collective Bargaining Agreement for Chinese Crew (A)" and is an obligation that the contracted shipowner must perform.

  

In addition to issuing the "Standard", Chinese Seamen & Construction Workers' Union and China Shipowners' Association also negotiated and reached an agreement on the minimum base salary for Chinese seafarers. From 2022 to 2023, the minimum base salary of Chinese seafarers will increase by 7% on the basis of 2021. At the same time, Chinese Seamen & Construction Workers' Union officially launched a special activity for caring for the crew. It plans to complete the special condolences to 100 ships before New Year's Day in 2022, and help 100 ships to improve the construction of reading convenience points on board, and encourage seafarers to actively respond to the challenge of the epidemic both materially and spiritually.

 

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, Chinese Seamen & Construction Workers' Union and its subordinate organizations have strengthened their rights protection services for crew groups, and promoted the resolution of difficulties in crew changes, medical treatment, and supply difficulties. In April this year, All-China Federation of Trade Unions also allocated 1 million yuan to carry out special warmth to the crew, benefiting 975 crew members in difficulty from 147 enterprises.

 

Chinese Seamen & Construction Workers' Union and China Shipowners' Association have established a collective negotiation working mechanism since 2009. Over the years, under this mechanism, China has successively released marine labor standards such as minimum wages for Chinese seafarers, the minimum food cost standard and the industrial standard for the treatment of crew injuries and deaths, which have been highly recognized and widely used in the whole industry.

 

Source: Sarah Yu, XINDE MARINE NEWS

The opinions expressed herein are the author's and not necessarily those of The Xinde Marine News.