Ukrainian Independent Maritime Trade Union

My dear friends and colleagues,----We beg to report about the work of Ukrainian Independent Maritime Trade Union.--For the first time of existence of marine profession a new national union of seafarers free of business, politics, independent from government economic controlling structures was established in Ukraine in 2011.--Our structure doesn’t have for an object sharing of budgetary means and we won’t take part in difficult and inconsistent processes of exploitation of the remains of marine economic complex of Ukraine.--Our aim is unification and defence of rights of those who goes at sea now in spite of economic crisis, works for the family and Motherland under all flags, works outside Ukraine for its blessing and prosperity.--For the first time interests of Ukrainian seafarers, implementing their right for skilled and well-paid work, get a mutual support within the framework of our union.--Today the seafarers, who decided to unite efforts for the attainment of the common purposes, go at sea with our union card.--All our actions will be aimed at the attainment of these purposes.--Unfortunately, Ukrainian seamen, bringing in more investments to the national economy than all foreign investors together by honest and skilled work, have a lot of ill-wishers.--Too many forces want to share with Ukrainian seafarers his income defying his labour and social security. Too many unfair structures want to make a profit of Ukrainian seafarers’ work.--Unfortunately, today only seafarers are able to help themselves in solving their labour and social problems. That’s why our trade union was created by them.--What do we want and what are we going to achieve?--We’ll stand for Ukrainian seafarers’ right for free safe fairly-paid labour.--In order to achieve this we’ll take part in negotiation with shipowners and establish requirements of international standards of labour aboard the ship. Today we are open for dialogue with all the employers on condition of transparency, lawfulness, priority of seafarers’ rights.--We’ll try to establish fair system of taxation for seafarers. Our the ultimate aim is exemption Ukrainian seafarers from income tax.