European Tripartite Seminar

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BULGARIAN SHIPOWNERS ASSOCIATION (BSA)

• European Tripartite Seminar
• The Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 Achieving
  wide and effective implementation
• Varna, Bulgaria, 19-21 September 2006
• Opening Statement by
• Capt. Marin Petrov, Secretary General

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BSA Pre-history

• in 1999 the Board of Directors of the state-owned
  Navigation Maritime Bulgare (Navibulgar) took
  decision to apply for ICS and ISF membership,
  taking in mind the role of both organisations
• considering the extend to which the company was
  regarded as being representative of Bulgarian
  shipping by that time, both Organisations
  approved the application and
• on 1 November 1999 Navibulgar became full member
  of ICS and ISF.

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Emerging of BSA

• The situation with regards to Bulgarian shipping
  have changed considerably by 2003
• new private shipowners appeared in Bulgaria
• the real business players organisation by
  interests in branch NGOs grew up
• apart form the natural competition, the common
  interests between the shipowners (irrespective
  whether private or state-owned) were clear

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Emerging of BSA (cont)

• the need to have an employers forum in the
  branch, representing its members interests in
  the tripartite dialogue on national and
  international level
• dissemination, sharing practice and opinions on
  implementation of the national (BMA),
  international (IMO) and branch (ICS/ISF)
  regulations and best practices on safety,
  security and environment protection matters
• participation in public-private partnership
  activities, direct involvement in setting up of
  strategies for the development of water transport
  in Bulgaria, etc.

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Emerging of BSA (cont)

• As a result, the BSA was established on 30
  September 2003 during the Black Sea Ports and
  Transport conference in Varna
• The founders of the association were 8 private
  shipping companies with premises located in Varna
  and Bourgas, owing or managing ships under
  Bulgarian or foreign flag
• BSA is a full member of ICS and ISF as of August
  2005.

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Membership and structure of BSA

• The General Meeting is supreme body of the
  Association. The Associations administrative
  body is the Council, supported by the
  Secretariat.
• Secretariats office situated in Varna and
  representatives in Sofia, Bourgas and Ruse
• total deadweight of BSA members owned fleet -
  over 1 million DWT.

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BSA participation in the social dialogue

• As a full member of VUZRAZDANE UNION, officially
  recognised on national level organisation of
  employers, BSA is involved in
• the National Council on Tripartite Cooperation
  (through Vuzrazdane Union)
• representing Bulgarian employers in the
  tripartite delegation of Republic of Bulgaria for
  the 94th maritime session of ILO in Geneva, 2006
• in the Council on Tripartite Cooperation in the
  Ministry of Transport (as appointed member)
• in the water transport branch dialogue with the
  social partners (within the annual negotiations
  for minimum social security levels, negotiations
  on national branch collective agreements, etc.).

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BSA participation in the social dialogue (cont)

• As a full member of ICS and ISF, representing
  bulgarian shipowners
• in discussions on manning and training issues
  related to social and human factor matters
• in the ISF / BIMCO Manpower Surveys (since 2000)
  
• in the ILO Preparatory Technical Maritime
  Conference, Sept 2004 (represented by
  Navibulgar)
• In the Tripartite Intersessional Meeting on the
  Follow-up of the PTMC in April 2005 (represented
  by Navibulgar)
• In the 94th maritime session of ILO for adoption
  of the new Maritime Labour Convention 2006
  participating in the work of employers group
  meetings

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Responsibilities for implementation of the
Maritime Labour Convention, 2006

• Currently BSA members are complying with the
  applicable maritime labour requirements as
  follows
• Bulgarian flag ships Merchant Shipping Code,
  Labour Code, Ministerial Ordinance on Labour and
  Related Interrelations Between Crew Members and
  Shipowners, EA Maritime Administration
  ordinances, Collective bargaining agreements with
  the national unions, Seafarers Employment
  Agreements, etc.

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Responsibilities for implementation of the
Maritime Labour Convention, 2006

• Currently
• Foreign flag ships Flag State Labour Legislation
  and requirements, ITF Collective Bargaining
  agreements or national unions CBA (depending on
  seafarers nationality), Seafarers Employment
  Agreements, etc.
• Irrespective of the flag PSC inspections on ILO
  Conventions (based on ILO Convention No.147,
  Merchant Shipping (Minimum Standards)
  Convention, 1976 and the 8 related thereto ILO
  maritime Conventions)

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Proposals and conclusions

• We believe, the world-wide implementation and
  enforcement of the Maritime labour Convention
  2006 will set level playing field in terms of
  employment, health and working conditions.
• We also believe, that the fair competition is
  based not only on the level playing field in
  terms of labour conditions, but also in terms of
  Flag States fiscal and administrative
  environment, at least equal to the regime
  available in the main traditional maritime
  states.

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Proposals and conclusions

• We look at this seminar as one more step in the
  international tripartite cooperation for the
  benefit of all parties involved (governments,
  employers and employees) in order to improve the
  image and the perspective of the shipping
  industry as a whole.
• The ILO and MoT of Republic of Bulgaria are to
  be congratulated for this timely organised
  seminar

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• Bulgarian Shipowners Association wishes all the
  participants a successful and fruitful seminar !
• Enjoy your stay in Varna!