Today inspectors of the Far-Eastern regional organization of the Seafarers Union of Russia boarded the m / v «Winner» moored in the commercial sea port of Nakhodka. As it turned out during the inspection there is no ITF collective agreement on board although this is the only document that can protect seafarers on a board of the vessel under the flag of convenience.

The crew of the m / v “Global Harmony” (Liberia flag, IMO 9473573, year of construction 2010) consisting mainly of the Philippino seafarers expressed a wish to work under the ITF collective agreement. They asked the inspectors of the Seafarers Union of Russia who visited the ship in the port of Nakhodkato provide assistance in that matter.

Some of the drivers, hospital attendants, and paramedics of the ambulance station in Petrozavodsk will stop going on calls in understaffed teams. They planned a work-to-rule because of low wages and lack of health workers at the stations. The emergency hospital administration responded with a «letter from colleagues condemning the rioters.» On August 28, this information was confirmed to «7x7» by the Chairman of the primary organization of trade Union Deystvie (Action) of the emergency hospital in Karelia Olga Chayka.

The Ch. Engineer and the 2nd Engineer from the vessel Magellan (flag of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines IMO 9087104) announced a protest in connection with non-payment of wages within more than 6 months. The seafarers refuse to let representatives of repair team sent by the shipowners to the engine room. The information was presented by the chairman of the Azov-Don Territorial Organization of the Seafarers Union of Russia (SUR) Leonid Glushak. Two seafarers who are members’of the SUR have not received a salary since February and for the moment the debt to them comes to about 25 thousand dollars.

The President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym Tokayev issued a decree on the evening of August 9th pardoning trade union leader Erlan Baltabay, leader of the Fuel and Energy Workers' Union and vice-president of the Confederation of Independent Trade Unions of Kazakhstan (KNPRK), from custody. Baltabay was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment on July 17, 2019, on embezzlement charges that the international labor movement condemned as being politically motivated. His sentence also included a prohibition on trade union activities for an additional seven years after his jail term.

Russian trade unions of food workers—Novoprof (affiliated with the KTR) and AIWU—have taken a significant step towards raising health and safety standards at Danone facilities throughout Russia in a newly-signed agreement.

The ITUC has harshly condemned the sentencing of Kazakhstan trade union leader Erlan Baltabay. Efforts to improve freedom of association for working people are once again jeopardised; but the country’s new leadership could still intervene.

The 100th Anniversary Conference of the International Labour Organisation has concluded with the adoption of a crucial new international Convention to tackle violence and harassment at work. “The landmark Convention against violence and harassment at work is the culmination of an exceptional campaign for this new global standard, and efforts will now turn to ensuring that it is ratified by governments and put into action,” said ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow.

The Tenth Congress of the Confederation of Labor of Russia (KTR) calls upon the Government of the Russian Federation and the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs at the 108th Session of the International Labour Conference (10-21 June 2019) to support the adoption of the Convention Ending violence and harassment in the world of work.  After the adoption of the Convention, to ensure its prompt ratification and implementation of its provisions and norms in Russian legislation.

Ford union representatives and their national and international colleagues spent two days debating possible ways of safeguarding jobs at the Ford Sollers joint venture in Russia, and their response to the potential closure of other Ford plants, after the company announced a review of  its strategy in the country.