shipowner approved financial aid to a SUR member

The Seafarers' Union of Russia convinced the shipowner to pay financial aid to a SUR member over a non-occupational disease, although the collective bargaining agreement applicable for the vessel where the Russian worked did not provide for this. 

A former Chief Engineer of MV MSC Topaz applied to the SUR Baltic Territorial Organization. According to him, he had worked several contracts for the shipping company and had no complaints about the employer. 

On the last voyage, having worked for almost 4 months, he felt sick and was sent to a local hospital in Singapore for examination. Doctors suspected oncology in the seafarer and recommended that he leave the vessel and have a medical check upon returning home. 

Indeed, doctors in St. Petersburg confirmed the diagnosis - the seafarer was diagnosed with lymphoma.

For its part, the shipping company fulfilled all its obligations to its former employee: the Chief Engineer was paid his salary in full, also his repatriation and 130 days of sick leave were paid, and the costs of treatment during the period of the sick leave were compensated. 

Being registered as a disabled person who suffers from a systemic disease, the seafarer came to the SUR BTO and asked to assist him to apply to the company for financial aid, although it was explained to him that under the collective bargaining agreement the company has no such obligation to the employee since oncology is not an occupational disease. 

Nevertheless, the Legal Department of the SUR BTO sent an appeal for financial aid to the SUR Foreign Relations Department. The latter contacted the company on this issue, noting that the illness itself, treatment and regular examinations prevented the seafarer from finding employment. 

Following the negotiations, the shipowner met the needs of the SUR member and approved him a small cash payment from its seafaring personnel support fund. 

The Union is confident that the fact that MSC Topaz is covered by the collective bargaining agreement has been crucial in addressing the issue.