15/12/2023
*Message from FORWARD SEAMEN’S UNION OF INDIA*
Dear Comrades & Seamen friends and Sisters,
At last with hectic discussions and tough bargaining with the representatives of INSA the 48th National Maritime Board (India) – seafarers wage settlement for 4 years period from 01.01.2024 to 31.12.2027 for Ratings and Petty Officers of Foreign Going, Home Trade, Offshore, Tugs/Crafts of Indian flag vessels was concluded on 14.12.2023.
In this struggling and tough bargaining we could able to achieve certain advancement from the last 47th NMB(I) agreement.
This Collective Bargaining Industry Agreement was signed by the representatives of both FSUI & NUSI on 14.12.2023.
The book of detailed agreement will be released shortly. However FSUI would like to give the following important points of the MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING signed on 14.12.2023:
The period of the agreement is for 4 years from 01.01.2024 to 31.12.2027 until revised.
Foreign Going:
The increase in basic wages would come around 42% for Ratings & Petty Officers.
Home Trade:
The increase in basic pay would come around 25% for Ratings and Petty Officers
Offshore:
The increase in basic pay would come around 18% for Ratings and Petty Officers.
The leave for the Off-Period for Ratings will continue to be at 77 days. Equal ON/OFF on MSV Vessels for Ratings and Petty Officers was agreed.
Tugs/Crafts:
The increase in basic pay would come around 12% for Ratings and Petty officers.
Shipboard engagement period for Ratings revised as follows:
Foreign Going reduced from 9 months to 8 months (+/- 1 month).
Home Trade reduced from 9 months to 8 months (+/- 1 month).
Prolonged Service benefits:
Basic wages will be increased by 10% from 1 of the 10 month for the extended period.
For first time from this 48th NMB agreement it was agreed by the companies that they would recognise seniority of their seafarers on Foreign Going Indian articles and an incentive of Rs. 500/- p.m. on completion of 36 months of uninterrupted sea service would be paid
Death and Disability compensation to be as follows:
For Ratings and Petty Officers on FG, HT & OSV
Death compensation increased from existing Rs. 22 lakhs to Rs. 40 lakhs
100% Disability compensation increased from existing Rs. 25 lakhs to Rs. 45 lakhs.
For Ratings and Petty Officers on Tugs and Crafts
Death compensation increased from Rs. 22 lakhs to Rs. 30 lakhs
100% Disability compensation increased from Rs. 25 lakhs to Rs. 30 lakhs -
Additional amount of Death and Disability Compensation on ships carrying radioactive cargo on board increased from Rs. 3 lakhs to Rs. 5 lakhs
Special payment for injury during anti-piracy watch increased from Rs. 50,000/- to Rs. 75,000/-.
Compensation for Ratings and Petty Officers towards loss of personal effects increased from Rs. 80,000/- to Rs. 1,00,000/-.
F ixed Shipboard Allowance revised as follows:
Fore ign Going increased from Rs. 2400/- to Rs. 3000/- p.m.
Home Trade increased from Rs. 1985/- to Rs. 2500/- p.m.
Leave Subsistence Allowance revised as follows:
Foreign Going increased from Rs. 250/- to Rs. 400/- per day.
Home Trade increased from Rs. 250/- to Rs. 400/- per day.
Offshore increased from Rs. 250/- to Rs. 400/- per day.
Special allowance increased as follows (where applicable):
Foreign Going by 10%
Home Trade by 10%
Offshore by 10%
Tugs and crafts by 10%
Female Ratings while on Maternity leave to be paid leave subsistence allowance of Rs. 550/- per day for each day of paid leav
Miscellaneous allowances (Boarding and Lodging allowance)... increased from Rs. 450/- to Rs. 500/- per day per head for boarding increased increased from Rs. 350/- Rs. 400/- per day per head for Lodging.
Severance / Redundancy compensation...
increased from Rs. 4.5 lakhs to Rs. 6 lakhs for below the age of 55 years - increased from Rs. 3 to Rs. 4.5 lakhs for between the age of 55 to 58 years - increased from Rs. 2.5 to Rs. 4 lakhs for above 58 years.
Relief on compassionate grounds: A seafarer to whom this Agreement applies may terminate employment when, during the course of a voyage it is confirmed that the spouse, parent or dependent child has fallen seriously ill or died. In such cases, the repatriation cost is to be on Company’s account.
Seafarers while on Articles of Agreement and discharged on medical grounds resulting in death or permanent unfitness/disability, while they are taking treatment at company’s expense, will be compensated under Death and Disability Clause.
Trainees engaged on FG, HT and OSV vessels will be paid an all inclusive stipend increased from Rs. 5,000/- to Rs. 10,000/- per month and Rs. 5,000/- to Rs. 8,000/- per month for Tugs and Crafts.
Companies agreed to provide counselling facility for the wellbeing of the seafarers
Passenger Run ship board allowance will continue to be at 20 percent of the basic wage as applicable.
Internet Connection…
The Company will provide free e-mail facility only without attachment to all categories of seafarers subject to availability.
Visa fees…
All visa and visa-related expenses will be borne by the shipowners.
Shore Leave…
If any seafarer while employed onboard desires to visit the port, same is to be organised by the Shipowners provided it is permissible under port regulations.
Recreational facilities …
The shipowners shall provide recreational facilities as required on board the vessel including technical books for the development of the seafarers.
The company will deposit amounts of Pension and Annuity for all Ratings and Petty Officers in the individual seafarers account maintained with the Commissioner, Seamens’ Provident Fund for FG, HT and OSV as applicable.
25% of Ex-gratia amount will be deposited with Seamens Provident Fund.
The United efforts of both FSUI & NUSI was able to give a honourable settlement. Any Ratings and Petty Officers and their families may contact FSUI and its office bearers at any point of time for their clarification.
Long Live TRADE UNIONS UNITY and Long Live Seafarers Unity
General Secretary
Com. Manoj Yadav
Mobile: 98698 37098
