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ITF and JNG - JOINT PRESS RELEASE
The Joint Negotiating Group (JNG) and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) have designated areas around Ukraine as ‘Warlike Operations Areas’ triggering an increased security level and entitlements for seafarers in the war zone.
The designation was agreed at an emergency high-level meeting on the rapidly escalating crisis in Ukraine between the social partners Monday, with effect Tuesday 1 March 2022. Repatriation, payment of wages, safe transit and respect of individual seafarers’ rights, particularly for seafarers from the region, were the focus of discussions.
As social partners, the JNG and ITF negotiate and ensure application of the International Bargaining Forum (IBF) agreement, which is the only international collective bargaining agreement covering terms and conditions for seafarers in international trade – currently in use on over 9,000 ships.
The escalation in hostilities and conflict in Ukraine has put enormous pressure on seafarers of all nations and an industry already labouring under the demands and challenges of the pandemic. The parties agreed that the welfare of seafarers and the protection of their rights in this unprecedented situation was paramount to the spirit and intent of the IBF agreement.
IBF Warlike Operations Areas were designated for the Sea of Azov (north of latitude 46°N), the Northern Black Sea Region and all ports in Ukraine. Under this classification seafarers onboard IBF covered ships are entitled to receive:
- doubled compensations for death and disability;
- right to refuse sailing, with repatriation at company’s cost and compensation equal to 2 month’s basic wage ;
- recommended to operate at ISPS Level 3.
In addition to the establishment of the ‘Warlike Operations Areas’ around Ukraine and adjacent waters, the JNG and ITF also committed to further high-level discussions to monitor and review mechanism to ensure seafarers’ safety and security in the rapidly evolving crisis.
The facilitation of support from governments worldwide for potential refugee arrangements for Ukrainian seafarers and their families was also considered. The social partners agreed to start calling on governments to waive visas for Ukrainian seafarers to ease their repatriation.
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About the ITF: The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) is a democratic, affiliate-led federation of transport workers’ unions recognised as the world’s leading transport authority. We fight passionately to improve working lives; connecting trade unions and workers’ networks from 147 countries to secure rights, equality and justice for their members. We are the voice of the almost-20 million women and men who move the world.
About the JNG: The Joint Negotiating Group (JNG) allows for the coordination of the views of employers from across the world in the maritime industry. The JNG consists of the International Maritime Employers' Council (IMEC), the International Mariners Management Association of Japan (IMMAJ), the Korean Shipowners Association (KSA), and Taiwan-based company Evergreen.