Rotterdam, 21 September 2010
Re.: Week of industrial action ferry services
Dear Colleagues,
On 27 September 2010 the European Unions for Dockers and seafarers are organising a week of action in the ferry services sector. The intention is to put pressure on the shipping companies to agree on arrangements concerning dock work for Dockers, a decent salary for non-European ratings and the prevention of displacement of European labour by cheap labour. In 1995/1997 these objectives were established by the ITF in, what has become known as, the “Athens policy”. It has been attempted to agree on arrangements about this with the ferry services ever since. Also in the Netherlands.
In terms of the remuneration the starting point is that the conditions must at least equal those of one of the countries between which the vessel sails. In 2000 it was agreed with the Dutch shipping companies to initially raise the salary for non-European seafarers on board the Dutch vessels up to the level which the ITF imposes as a minimum for FOC vessels. This was a first step in the direction of equal conditions for everybody. This arrangement was approved by the ITF and the English trade unions. Unfortunately the Dutch ferry services have always obstructed the implementation of this arrangement. A final attempt was made last year.
The unwilling approach of the ferry services in general is the reason why the European trade unions want to increase the pressure on the ferry services. The week of action is part of this. We cannot reach any conclusion other than that the ferry services brought this down on themselves due to their own approach.
In the Netherlands we will address the ferry services on compliance with the arrangements agreed on earlier. Moreover, compliance with the agreements between Nautilus and the Dutch vessel owners in terms of the employment of non-European seafarers will be promoted. The arrangements imply that non-European seafarers can only be employed after a committee has granted an exemption.
One of the conditions for exemption is that agreement must be in place about the applicable salary and employment conditions; which has no longer been the case since 31 December 2008. As the conditions for exemption are not met the employment of non-European seafarers on board Dutch vessels in the ferry services is in violation of the relevant regulations. For ratings this regards the Dutch Shipping Manpower Services Regulations (‘Regeling Arbeidsvoorziening Zeevaart’) and for officers the Dutch Employment non-EU Officers Regulations (‘Regeling Tewerkstelling niet EU officieren’).
We considered it appropriate to inform you about the week of industrial action and the background thereof. Should you still have any questions please feel free to contact us at your earliest convenience.
Kind regards,
NAUTILUS INTERNATIONAL
Hylke Hylkema
