MTWTU “TCC” Collective Fleet Agreement  

between

 (hereinafter called “Company”)

acting on behalf of the Owner for the vessels

listed on Annex 1  (which may be amended as necessary)

and

Marine Transport Workers’

Trade Union of Ukraine

(hereinafter called “Union”)

an affiliated Union of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), London

1 January 2010

MTWTU “TCC” Collective Fleet Agreement

between

acting on behalf of the Owner/Operator for the vessels listed on Annex 1 (which may be amended as necessary)

and

Marine Transport Workers’ Trade Union of Ukraine, Odessa

an affiliated union

of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), London

Application

§1

1.1      This Agreement sets out the standard terms and conditions applicable to all seafarers serving on any ship listed in Annex I in respect of which there is in existence a Special Agreement made between ITF (International Transport Workers’ federation) and the owner or operator.

1.2      This Agreement is deemed to be incorporated into and to contain the terms and conditions of employment of any seafarer to whom this Agreement applies whether or not the company has entered into an individual Contract of Employment with the seafarer.

1.3     The Special Agreement requires the Owners (inter alia) to employ the seafarers on the terms and conditions of an ITF approved agreement, and to enter into individual contracts of employment with any seafarer to whom this Agreement applies, incorporating the terms and conditions of an ITF approved Agreement. The Company undertakes that it will comply with all the terms and conditions of this Agreement. The Company shall further ensure that signed copies of the applicable ITF approved Agreement (CBA) and of the ITF Special Agreement are available on board in English.

1.4     The words “seafarer”, “ship”, Special Agreement’, “union”, “ITF” and “company” when used in this Agreement shall have the same meaning as in the Special Agreement.  Furthermore, “seafarer” means any person who is employed or engaged or works in any capacity to whom this collective bargaining agreement applies.

1.5      Each seafarer, in accordance with 1.1 above, shall be covered by the Agreement with effect from the date on which they are engaged, whether they have signed Articles or not, until the date on which they sign off and/or the date until which, in accordance with this Agreement, the company is liable for the payment of wages, whether or not any employment contract is executed between the seafarer and the company and whether or not the Ship’s Articles are endorsed or amended to include the rates of pay specified in this Agreement.

Pre-Employment

§2

2.1      Each seafarer shall undertake to serve the company competently and shall undertake that they possess, and will exercise, the skill commensurate with the certificates, which they declare to hold.

2.2           The company shall be entitled to require that any seafarer shall have a satisfactory pre-employment   medical examination, at company expense, by a company-nominated doctor and that the seafarer answer faithfully any questionnaire on their state of health, which may be required.  Failure to do so may affect the seafarer’s entitlement to compensation as per Articles 21,22,23, 24 and 25.  The seafarer shall be entitled to receive a copy of the medical certificate issued in respect of such an examination.

2.3       Companies who are direct employers or who use seafarers recruitment and placement services shall ensure, as far as practicable, that the standards laid down in the MLC are met including the requirement that no fees or visa costs are borne directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, by the seafarers for finding employment, the right for seafarers to inspect their employment agreements before engagement and preventing the recruitment or placement services from using means, mechanisms or lists to prevent seafarers from gaining employment for which they are qualified.

2.4       Each seafarer shall sign the seamen’s employment contract.

Non-Seafarers Work

§3

3.1           Neither ship’s crews nor anyone else on board whether in permanent or temporary employment by the Company shall be required or induced to carry out cargo handling and other work traditionally or historically done by dock workers without the prior agreement of the ITF Dockers Union or Unions concerned and provided that the individual seafarers volunteer to carry out such duties, for which they should be adequately compensated.  For the purpose of this clause “cargo handling” may include but is not limited to: loading, unloading, stowing, unstowing, pouring, trimming, classifying, sizing, stacking, unstacking as well as composing and decomposing unit loads; and also services in relation with cargo or goods, such as tallying, weighing, measuring, cubing, checking, receiving, guarding, delivering, sampling and sealing, lashing and unlashing.

3.2           Where a vessel is in a port where an official trade dispute involving an ITF-affiliated dock workers’ union is taking place, neither ship’s crew nor anyone else on board whether in permanent or temporary employment by the Company shall be instructed or induced to undertake cargo handling and other work, traditionally and historically done by members of that union which would affect the resolution of such a dispute. The Company will not take any punitive measures against any seafarer who respects such dock workers’ trade dispute and any such lawful act by the Seafarer shall not be treated as any breach of the Seafarer’s contract of employment, provided that this act is lawful within the country it is taken.

3.3       For crewmembers compensation for such work performed during the normal working week, as specified in Article 5, shall be by the payment of the overtime rate specified in ANNEX 2 for each hour or part hour that such work is performed, in addition to the basic pay.  Any such work performed outside the normal working week will be compensated at double the overtime rate.

Duration of Employment

§4

4.1          A seafarer shall be engaged for 6 (six) months and such period may be extended or reduced by 2 (two) months for operational convenience. The employment shall be automatically terminated upon the terms of this Agreement at the first arrival of the ship in port after expiration of that period, unless the company operates a permanent employment system.

Hours of Duty

§5

5.1          The normal hours of duty shall be eight hours per day from Monday to Friday inclusive.

Overtime

§6

6.1          Any hours of duty in excess of the 8 (eight) shall be paid for by overtime, the hourly overtime rate shall be 1.25 the basic hourly rate calculated by reference to the basic wage for the category concerned and the weekly working hours (Annex 2).

6.2          At least 103 (one hundred and three) hours guaranteed overtime shall be paid monthly to each seafarer.

6.3          Overtime shall be recorded individually and in duplicate either by the Master or the Head of the Department.

6.4          Such record shall be handed to the seafarer for approval every month or at shorter intervals. Both copies must be signed by the Master and/or Head of the Department as well as by the seafarer, after which the record is final. One copy shall be handed over to the seafarer.

6.5          Any additional hours worked during an emergency directly affecting the immediate safety of the ship, its passengers, crew or cargo, of which the Master shall be the sole judge, or for safety drills or work required to give assistance to other ships or persons in immediate peril shall not count for overtime payment.

6.6          If no overtime records are kept as required in 6.3 and 6.4 above, the seafarer shall be paid monthly a lump sum for overtime worked calculated at 160 hours at the hourly overtime rate without prejudice to any further claim for payment for overtime hours worked in excess of this figure.

Holidays

§7

7.1          For the purpose of this Agreement the days listed in Annex 3 shall be considered as holidays at sea or in port.  If a holiday falls on a Saturday or a Sunday, the following working day shall be observed as a holiday. 

Rest Periods

§8

8.1      Each seafarer shall have a minimum of 10 hours rest in any 24 hour period and 77 hours in any seven-day period.

8.2      This period of 24 hours shall begin at the time a Seafarer starts work immediately after having had a period of at least 6 consecutive hours off duty.

8.3      The hours of rest may be divided into no more than two periods, one of which shall be at least 6 hours in length, and the interval between consecutive periods of rest shall not exceed 14 hours.

8.4      The company shall post in an accessible place on board a table detailing the schedule of service at sea and in port and the minimum hours of rest for each position on board in the language of the ship and in English.

8.5      Nothing in this Article shall be deemed to impair the right of the master of a ship to require a seafarer to perform any hours of work necessary for the immediate safety of the ship, persons on board or cargo, or for the purpose of giving assistance to other ships or persons in distress at sea.  In such situation, the master may suspend the schedule of hours of work or hours of rest and require a seafarer to perform any hours of work necessary until the normal situation has been restored.  As soon as practicable after the normal situation has been restored, the master shall ensure that any seafarers who have performed the work in a scheduled rest period are provided with an adequate period of rest.  In addition, the STCW requirements covering overriding operational conditions shall apply.

8.6      A short break of less than 30 minutes will not be considered as a period of rest.

8.7      Emergency drills and drills prescribed by national laws and regulations and by international instruments shall be conducted in a manner that minimises the disturbance of rest periods and does not induce fatigue.

8.8      The allocation of periods of responsibility on UMS Ships, where a continuous watchkeeping in the engine room is not carried out, shall also be conducted in a manner that minimises the disturbance of rest periods and does not induce fatigue and an adequate compensatory rest period shall be given if the normal period of rest is disturbed by call-outs.

8.9     Records of seafarers daily hours of rest shall be maintained to allow for monitoring of compliance with this Article.

Wages

§9

9.1          The wages of each seafarer shall be calculated in accordance with this Agreement and as per the attached wage scales (ANNEX 2) and the only deductions from such wages shall be proper statutory and other deductions as recorded in this Agreement and/or other deductions as authorised by the seafarer.

9.2          The seafarer shall be entitled to payment of their net wages, after deductions, in US dollars, or in a currency agreed with the seafarer, at the end of each calendar month together with an account of their wages, identifying the exchange rate where applicable.

9.3          Any wages not drawn by the seafarer shall accumulate for their account and may be drawn as a cash advance twice monthly.

9.4          For the purpose of calculating wages, a calendar month shall be regarded as having 30 days.

9.5          No seafarer employed in the Deck or Engine departments who is 21 or over and is not a trainee shall be paid less than the equivalent rate of an ordinary seaman.

Allotments

§10

10.1        Each seafarer to whom this Agreement applies shall be allowed an allotment note, payable at monthly intervals, of up to 80% of basic wages after allowing for any deductions as specified in Article 9.

Leave

§11

11.1       Each seafarer shall, on the termination of employment for whatever reason, be entitled to payment of 7  days’ leave for each completed month of service and pro rata for a shorter period.

11.2       Payment for leave shall be at the rate of pay applicable at the time of termination plus a daily allowance as specified in ANNEX 4.

Subsistence Allowance

§12

12.1       When food and/or accommodation is not provided on board the company shall be responsible for providing food and/or accommodation of suitable quality.

Watch-keeping

§13

13.1        Watch-keeping at sea and, when deemed necessary, in port, shall be organised where possible on a three watch basis.

13.2        It shall be at the discretion of the Master which seafarers are put into watches and which, if any, on day work.

13.3        While watch-keeping at sea, the officer of the navigational watch shall be assisted by a posted lookout during the hours of darkness and as required by any relevant national and international rules and regulations, and, in addition, whenever deemed necessary by the master or officer of the navigational watch.

13.4        The Master and Chief Engineer shall normally be required to stand watches.

Manning

§14

14.1       The Ship shall be competently and adequately manned so as to ensure its safe operation and the maintenance of a three watch system whenever required and in no case manned at a lower level than in accordance with relevant and applicable national and international laws, rules and regulations.

14.2    The agreed manning shall not include any temporary or riding squad workers.  However, in certain circumstances, the company and the union can agree that for a limited period temporary riding squads may be used on board subject to the following principles:

·         persons engaged for security purposes should not undertake other seafarers’ duties;

·         only specific tasks authorized by the master can be carried out by the riding squads;

·         classification societies are to be informed of any survey or structural work carried out in compliance with IACS UR Z13;

·         all riding squads must be covered by agreements in line with ILO conventions and recommendations; and

·         riding squads should not be used to replace current crew or be used to undermine ITF agreements.

Shorthand Manning

§15

15.1       Where the complement falls short of the agreed manning, for whatever reasons, the basic wages of the shortage category shall be paid to the affected members of the concerned department. Every effort shall be made to make good the shortage before the ship leaves the next port of call. This provision shall not affect any overtime paid in accordance with Article 6.

Service in Warlike Operations Areas

§16

16.1        A warlike operations area will be as indicated by Lloyd’s.

16.2        During the assignment a seafarer shall be given full information of the war zone’s inclusion in the ship’s trading pattern and shall have the right not to proceed to a warlike operations area, in which event the seafarer shall be repatriated at company’s cost with benefits accrued until date of return to the port of engagement.

16.3        Where a ship enters into an area where warlike operations take place, the seafarer will be paid a bonus equal to 100% of the basic wage for the duration of the ship’s stay in such area subject to a minimum of five days’ pay.  Similarly the compensation for disability and death shall be doubled.

16.4       A seafarer shall have the right to accept or decline the assignment without risking losing their employment or suffering any other detrimental effects.

Crew’s Effects

§17

17.1       When any seafarer suffers total or partial loss of, or damage to, their personal effects whilst serving on board the ship as a result of wreck, loss stranding or abandonment of the vessel, or as a result of fire, flooding or collision, excluding any loss or damage caused by the seafarer’s own fault or through theft or misappropriation, they shall be entitled to receive from the company compensation up to a maximum specified in Annex 4.

17.2       The seafarer shall certify that any information provided with regard to lost property is true to the best of their knowledge.

17.3       The Company shall take measures for safeguarding property left on board by sick, injured or deceased seafarers   and for returning it to them or to their next of kin.

Termination of Employment

§18

18.1        The employment shall be terminated:

a.        upon the expiry of the agreed period of service identified in Article 4;

b.       when signing off owing to sickness or injury, after medical examination in accordance with Article 21.

18.2        The company may terminate the employment of a seafarer:

a.        by giving one month’s written notice to the seafarer;

b.       If the seafarer has been found to be in serious default of his employment obligations in accordance with Article 20;

c.        upon the total loss of the ship, or when the ship has been laid up for a continuous period of at least one month or upon the sale of the ship.

18.3        A seafarer to whom this Agreement applies may terminate employment:

a.        by giving one month’s written notice of termination to the Company or the Master of the ship;

b.       when, during the course of a voyage it is confirmed that the spouse or, in the case of a single person, a parent, has fallen dangerously ill. This provision shall also be applied with regard to the partner of a seafarer provided that this partner has been nominated by the seafarer at the time of engagement as the seafarers next of kin.

c.        if the ship is about to sail into a warlike operations area, in accordance with Article 16 of this Agreement;

d.       if the seafarer was employed for a specified voyage on a specified ship, and the voyage is subsequently altered substantially, either with regard to duration of trading pattern;

e.        if the Ship is certified substandard in relation to the applicable provisions the Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS) 1974, the International Convention on Loadlines (LL) 1966, the Standards of Training Certification and Watch-keeping Convention (STCW) 1995, the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 (MARPOL) or substandard in relation to ILO Convention No. 147, 1976, Minimum Standards in Merchant Ships as supplemented by the Protocol of 1996 and remains so for a period of 30 consecutive days provided that adequate living conditions and provisions are provided on board or ashore.  In any event, a Ship shall be regarded as substandard if it is not in possession of the certificates required under either applicable national laws and regulations or international instruments;

f.         if the ship has been arrested and has remained under arrest for 30 days;

g.       if after any agreed grievance procedure has been invoked, the company has not complied with the terms of this Agreement;

18.4        A seafarer shall be entitled to receive compensation of two months’ basic pay on termination of their employment in accordance with 18.2(a) and (c), 18.3(c), (d), (e), (f) and (g) above and Article 23.1.

18.5        It shall not be grounds for termination if, during the period of the agreement, the company transfers the seafarer to another vessel belonging or related to the same owner/manager, on the same rank and wages and all other terms, if the second vessel is engaged on the same or similar voyage patterns.  There shall be no loss of earnings or entitlements during the transfer and the company shall be liable for all costs and subsistence for and during the transfer.

Repatriation

§19

19.1       Repatriation shall take place in such a manner that it takes into account the needs and reasonable requirements for comfort of the seafarer.

19.2    During repatriation for normal reasons, the company shall be liable for the   following costs until the seafarers reach the final agreed repatriation destination, which can  be either a place of original engagement or home:

a.        payment of basic wages between the time of discharge and the arrival of the seafarer at their place of original engagement or home;

b.       the cost of accommodation and food;

c.        reasonable personal travel and subsistence costs during the travel period;

d.       transport of the seafarer’s personal effects up to the amount allowed free of charge by the relevant carrier agreed with the company.

19.3    A seafarer shall be entitled to repatriation at the company’s expense on termination of employment as per Article 18 except where such termination arises under Clause 18.2(b) and 18.3(a).

Misconduct

§20

20.1        A company may terminate the employment of a seafarer following a serious default of the seafarers employment obligations which gives rise to a lawful entitlement to dismissal, provided that the company shall, where possible, prior to dismissal, give written notice to the seafarer specifying the serious default  which has been the cause of the dismissal.

20.2        In the event of the dismissal of a seafarer in accordance with this clause, the company shall be entitled to recover from that seafarer’s balance of wages the costs involved with repatriating the seafarer together with such costs incurred by the company as are directly attributable to the seafarers proven misconduct. Such costs do not, however, include the costs of providing a replacement for the dismissed seafarer.

20.3        For the purpose of this Agreement, refusal by any seafarer to obey an order to sail the ship shall not amount to a breach of the seafarers employment obligations where:

a.        the ship is unseaworthy or otherwise substandard as defined in Clause 18.3 (e);

b.       for any reason it would be unlawful for the ship to sail;

c.        the seafarer has a genuine grievance against the company in relation to the implementation of this Agreement and has complied in full with the terms of the company’s grievance procedure; or

d.       the seafarer refuses to sail into a warlike area.

Medical Attention

§21

21.1        A seafarer shall be entitled to immediate medical attention when required.

21.2       A seafarer who is hospitalised abroad owing to sickness or injury shall be entitled to medical attention (including hospitalisation) at the company’s expense for as long as such attention is required or until the seafarer is repatriated to the port of engagement, whichever is the earlier.

21.3       A seafarer repatriated to their port of engagement, unfit as a result of sickness or injury, shall be entitled to medical attention (including hospitalisation) at the company’s expense:

a.        in the case of sickness, for up to 130 days after repatriation, subject to the submission of satisfactory medical reports;

b.       in the case of injury, for so long as medical attention is required or until a medical determination is made in accordance with clause 24.2 concerning permanent disability.

21.4       Proof of continued entitlement to medical attention shall be by submission of satisfactory medical reports, endorsed, where necessary, by a company appointed doctor.

Sick Pay

§22

22.1       When a seafarer is landed at any port because of sickness or injury a pro rata payment of their basic wages plus guaranteed or, in the case of officers, fixed overtime, shall continue until they have been repatriated at the company’s expense as specified in Article 19.

22.2       Thereafter the seafarer shall be entitled to sick pay at the rate equivalent to their basic wage while they remain sick up to a maximum of 130 days after repatriation.

22.3       However, in the event of incapacity due to an accident the basic wages shall be paid until the injured seafarer has been cured or until a medical determination is made in accordance with clause 24.2 concerning permanent disability.

22.4       Proof of continued entitlement to sick pay shall be by submission of satisfactory medical reports, endorsed, where necessary, by a company appointed doctor. If a doctor appointed by or on behalf of the seafarer disagrees with the assessment, a third doctor may be nominated jointly between the company and the seafarer and the decision of this doctor shall be final and binding on both parties.

Maternity

§23

23.1       In the event that a crew member becomes pregnant during the period of employment:

a.        the seafarer shall advise the master as soon as the pregnancy is confirmed;

b.       the company will repatriate the seafarer as soon as reasonably possible but in no case later than the 26th week of pregnancy; and where the nature of the vessel’s operations could in the circumstances be hazardous – at the first port of call.

c.        the seafarer shall be entitled to 100 days basic pay;

d.       the seafarer shall be  afforded priority in filling a suitable vacancy in the same or equivalent position within three years following the birth of a child should such a vacancy be available.

Disability

§24

24.1       A seafarer who suffers permanent disability as a result of an accident whilst in the employment of the company regardless of fault, including accidents occurring while travelling to or from the ship, and whose ability to work as a seafarer is reduced as a result thereof, shall in addition to sick pay, be entitled to compensation according to the provisions of this Agreement.

24.2       The disability suffered by the seafarer shall be determined by a doctor appointed by the company.  If a doctor appointed by or on behalf of the seafarer disagrees with the assessment, a third doctor may be nominated jointly between the company and the seafarer and the decision of this doctor shall be final and binding on both parties.

24.3       The company shall provide disability compensation to the seafarer in accordance with the following table, with any differences, including less than 10 % disability, to be pro rata.

2009

Degree of Disability                                                           Rate of Compensation       

Note: “Senior Officers” for the purpose of this clause means Master, Chief Officer, Chief Engineer and 1^st   Engineer.

24.4       A seafarer whose disability, in accordance with 24.2 above is assessed at 50% or more shall, for the purpose of this paragraph, be regarded as permanently unfit for further sea service in any capacity and be entitled to 100% compensation. Furthermore, any seafarer assessed at less than 50 % disability but certified as permanently unfit for further sea service in any capacity by the company-nominated doctor, shall also be entitled to 100 % compensation. Any disagreement as to entitlement under this clause shall be resolved in accordance with the procedures set out in 24.2 above.

24.5       Shipowners, in discharging their responsibilities to provide for safe and decent working conditions, should have effective arrangements for the payment of compensation for personal injury. When a claim arises, payment should be made promptly and in full, and there should be no pressure by the shipowner or by the representative of the insurers for a payment less than the contractual amount due under this Agreement. Where the nature of the personal injury makes it difficult for the shipowner to make a full payment of the claim, consideration to be given to the payment of an interim amount so as to avoid undue hardship.

Loss of Life – Death in Service

§25

25.1        If a Seafarer dies through any cause whilst in the employment of the Company including death from natural causes and death occurring whilst travelling to and from the vessel, or as a result of marine or other similar peril, the Company shall pay the sums specified in the attached ANNEX 4 to a nominated beneficiary and to each dependent child up to a maximum of 4 (four) under the age of 18.  The Company should also transport at its own expense the body to Seafarer’s home where practical and at the families’ request and pay the cost of burial expenses in accordance with ANNEX 4. If the Seafarer shall leave no nominated beneficiary, the aforementioned sum shall be paid to the person or body empowered by law or otherwise to administer the estate of the Seafarer. For the purpose of this clause a seafarer shall be regarded as “in employment of the company” for so long as the provisions of Articles 21 and 22 apply and provided the death is directly attributable to sickness or injury that caused the seafarer’s employment to be terminated in accordance with Article 18.1 b).

25.2        The provisions of Article 24.5 above shall also apply in the case of compensation for Loss of Life – Death in Service as specified in this Article.

Insurance Cover

§26

26. 1  The Company shall conclude appropriate insurance to cover themselves fully against the possible contingencies arising from the Articles of this Agreement.

Food, Accommodation, Bedding, Amenities etc.

§27

27.1        The Company shall provide, as a minimum, accommodation, recreational facilities and food and  catering services in accordance with the standards specified in Title 3 to the draft ILO Consolidated Maritime Labour Convention 2006 and shall give due consideration to the Guidelines in that Convention

27.2        In addition, the company shall provide the galley with all items of equipment normally required for cooking purposes. All items of equipment shall be of good quality.

27.3  The accommodation standards should generally meet those criteria contained in relevant ILO instruments relating to crew accommodation.

27.4  Seafarers will have access to free call on a one-off basis linked to compassionate circumstances as per Article 18.3 emergencies.

Personal Protective Equipment

§28

28.1        The company shall provide the necessary personal protective equipment in accordance with ISM/IMO regulations, or any applicable national regulations, which specify any additional equipment, for the use of each seafarer while serving on board.

28.2        The company will supply the crew with appropriate personal protective equipment for the nature of the job.

28.3        Seafarers should be advised of the dangerous nature and possible hazards of any work to be carried out and instructed of any necessary precautions to be taken as well as of the use of the protective equipment.

28.4        If the necessary safety equipment is not available to operate in compliance with any of the above regulations, seafarers should not be permitted or requested to perform the work.

28.5        Seafarers should use and take care of personal protective equipment at their disposal and not misuse any means provided for their own protection or the protection of others. Personal protective equipment remains the property of the company.

Shipboard Safety Committee

§29

29.1        The Company shall facilitate the establishment of an on board Safety and Health Committee, in accordance with the provisions contained in the ILO Code of Practice on Accident Prevention on Board Ship at Sea and in Port, and as part of their safety-management system.

29.2        The company shall provide a link between the company and those on board through the designation of a person or persons ashore having direct access to the highest level of management as per the requirements of the ISM Code.  The Company shall also designate an on board competent safety Officer who shall implement the company’s safety and health policy and programme and carry out the instructions of the Master to:

a.        improve the crew’s safety awareness; and

b.       investigate any safety complaints brought to her/his attention and report the same to the Safety and Health Committee and the individual, where necessary; and

c.        investigate accidents and make the appropriate recommendations to prevent the recurrence of such accidents; and

d.       carry out safety and health inspections.

29.3        The Company acknowledges the right of the crew to elect a safety representative to the on board Safety and Health Committee.  Such a representative shall be entitled to the same protections as the liaison representative as provided for in 30.5 below. 

Membership Fees, Welfare Fund and Representation of Seafarers

§30

30.1        The Company undertakes not to engage seafarers who are not covered by present agreement and to recommend that all seafarers joint the Union

30.2       The company agrees to deduct from seafarers’ wages the membership’s fees payable by the Seafarers to the Union which are currently 1% (one percent) of the gross wages per man per month for both officers and ratings.  The said fees shall be calculated and remitted to the said Union at least once per quarter.

30.3       The Company shall pay contributions to the ITF Seafarers’ International Assistance, Welfare and Protection Fund and Union’s membership/entrance fees in accordance with the terms of the Special Agreement.

30.4       The company acknowledges the right of seafarers to participate in union activities and to be protected against acts of anti-union discrimination as per ILO Conventions Nos. 87 and 98.

30.5       The company acknowledges the right of the seafarers to elect a liaison representative from among the crew who shall not be dismissed nor be subject to any disciplinary proceedings as a result of the seafarer’s duties as a liaison representative unless the union has been given adequate notice of the dismissal.

Equality

§31

31.1    Each seafarer shall be entitled to work, train and live in an environment free from harassment and bullying whether sexually, racially or otherwise motivated. The company will regard breaches of this undertaking as a serious act of misconduct on the part of seafarers

Waivers and Assignments

§32

32.1    The company undertakes not to demand or request any seafarer to enter into any document whereby, by way of waiver or assignment or otherwise, the seafarer agrees or promises to accept variations to the terms of this Agreement or return to the company, their servants or agents any wages (including backwages) or other emoluments due or to become due to the seafarer under this Agreement and the company agrees that any such document already in existence shall be null and void and of no legal effect.

Breach of the Agreement

§33

33.1        If the Company breaches the terms of this agreement the ITF or the union, for itself or acting on behalf of the seafarers, and/or any seafarer shall be entitled to take such measures against the company as may be deemed necessary to obtain redress.

Amendment of the Agreement

§34

34.1       The terms and conditions of this agreement shall be reviewed annually, and if at any time the ITF and the Company mutually agree on amendments and/or additions to this agreement, such amendments and additions shall be agreed in writing and signed by the parties and considered incorporated in the Special Agreement.

Validity of the Agreement

§35

35.1       This Agreement shall enter into force on 1^st January 2010  and shall remain in force till 31^st December 2010 unless and until either of parties gives one month’s written notice of termination.

           Signed on behalf of the MTWTU:                                        Signed on behalf of the Company:

            …………………………………………                                   …………………………………………

ANNEX 1 

LIST OF VESSELS 

ANNEX 2

 Wagescale 

 The guaranteed total overtime per month is 103 hours at the specified rate in column 4

 ANNEX 3

 NATIONAL HOLIDAYS 

ANNEX 4
Schedule of Cash Benefits

Article 25
Compensation for Loss of Life:

1.        to immediate next of kin: US$ 89,100
2.        to each dependent child under the age of 18: US$ 17,820, subject to a maximum of 4
3.        to nominated beneficiary burial expenses: US$2,000 

Article 11
Leave:
Daily allowance whilst on paid leave: US$ 18 

Article 17
Crew’s Effects:
Maximum: US$ 3,000

Article 30

Membership Fees, Welfare Fund and Representation of Seafarers: 

Company’s contribution to the Union in respect of membership and entrance fees US$69

Company’s contribution to the ITF Seafarers' International Assistance, Welfare and Protection Fund: US$ 250 per position per year.