Vol.3 No.1 January 1, 2006

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Holiday
Greetings
from theHeart
Page 3

60 Years Pursuing Peace for World’s Seafarers
Dear all non-domicile special members:
I would like to express myheartfelt greetings to you all
during this holiday season,and reflect upon the solidarity that keeps up going
throughout the year.
Life as a seafarer can beespecially tough around theholidays – you think tenderly of your lovely wife andchildren but cannot celebrate together with thembecause you are away at sea.
I wish I could do something
to ease the loneliness you
must feel.
The JSU held its 60th
Anniversary during its 66th
National Congress, which
took place in Hiroshimafrom November 8-10. I presume that the name “Hiroshima” is familiar to you.
Sixty years ago, during the
Pacific War (World War II),
which caused severe damage
throughout many countries
in the Asian region, it is estimated that 62,000 precious
Japanese Merchant Seafarers were lost at sea.
The past war served toteach us and our organization a great lesson. Since thefounding of our union, we

IBF Tokyo
Yields Revised
Framework
By Katsuji Taki
Assistant General Secretary,
International Affairs &Seafarers’ Section

Revision of the IBF
Framework TCC Agreement
took place on Oct. 6, 2005
during the IBF Tokyo round.
The JSU – represented by
Seiichi Hirayama, secretaryof the International Seafarers’ Bureau – and IMMAJ –represented by chairman
Nobuo Kayahara, held local
negotiations concerning revision of the IBF JSU/AMOSUP-IMMAJ CBA and JSUIMMAJ CA on Oct. 26, 2005.
The parties began byexchanging their respective
proposals for the new agreements, each offering somecomments and explanations.
The first working groupsession met on October 27 todiscuss the reviewed terms
referred by the Local Negotiating Committee. The second and third sessions were
held October 28 and 30.
JSU has spared no effort

have pledged tomere three days. result will offer you drastic
maintain withHowever, there improvements in terms ofout compromise
were active dis- response.
the following 3
cussions about
Since the economy of theideals: to standcampaign policy global shipping industry
for world peace,
for the following remains quite favorable yourto promote a conyear, and in the role of engaging to ensure
flict-free society,end we decided ship safety and stable transand to achieve
we would seek to portation has become more
safety at sea.
improve the sta- important than expected.
It was of greattus and employI pledge together with you
significance thatment stability of that we will act with pride
we held JSU’s
all JSU seafar- and confidence when it
60th anniversaryers, regardless of comes to our individual jobs.
in Hiroshima.
whether they
The Mariner’s Home in
Now known as
were domiciled Manila, planned by thethe “City of Peaor non-domicile.
AMOSUP and JSU, was fince,” it stands as a
I am prepared ished in December. We aresymbol for the
to work together holding a ceremony to celemovement to eliwith you to make brate its completion on Janminate nuclear“On the occasion of the 60th Anniver- these goals a uary 23. Filipino Governweapons from sary of our founding, I renew our pledge reality. Let us ment VIPs will attend, led
the world.
to campaign for the improvement of sea- now put them by President Gloria MacapaDuring
the farers’ status around the world.”
into practice.
gal Arroyo.
66th congress,
During negotiThis facility will be used
Vincent
P.
ationson
Novby
seafarers from all overCapt. Sakae Idemoto
Higoy,
JSU
ember
1,
we
won
the
world and it will conPresident,International
All Japan Seamen’s Union approval of a tribute to the improvement
Service Staff,
new labor condi- of their welfare.
stood as the reption, which will
Accommodation at the newresentative of the 36,000 National Congresses to give take effect Jan. 1, 2006. The Mariner’s Home will not be
JSU non-domicile special voice to your opinions and JSU requested a 10 percent free, but the JSU is looking
members. He requested that requests. Presently, we are increase over the previous into how to ensure the ¥30
we come up with a plan con- planning to hold sincere dis- Total Crew Cost (TCC).
million contributed from thecerning how the special cussions on this matter in
However, it was agreed by JSU welfare fund is usedmember’s representative our organization.
both parties concerned that effectively. I request yourcould attend future JSU
The congress lasted a the agreed resolution will understanding and cooperatake effect over a period of tion on this issue.
two years. The revision conOn New Year’s, what kindin achieving our proposals, and again by 5 percent from cerned the number of TCCs of hopes and goals do you
including wage increases for Jan. 1, 2007.
per vessel, and therefore it have? Let us hope that thisseafarers.
• Pension scheme for wid- will not reflect directly on year will bring all the best
Revision of the new IBF ows/widowers
your salary. However, con- for the world’s seafarers.
JSU/AMOSUP-IMMAJ CBA
A pension scheme for wid- sidering seafarer welfare as
Have a smooth voyage andand IBF JSU-IMMAJ CA ( ows/widowers has been we are confident that the safe return to your family.
for 2006 and 2007) was con- established by the new CBA
ducted by the IMMAJ and agreement, which applies to
JSU during the second AMOSUP members only.
round of local negotiations,• Better medical checks
held November 1.
Concerning the ordinary
Highlights follow:
medical check conducted• TCC Increase for IBF prior a seafarer joining his
model ship (23 crewmen)
vessel, it is agreed that seaAccording to the revision farers shall undergo a highBy Vincent P. Higoyof the IBF Framework TCC er level medical check.
JSU International Service Staff
Agreement, the existing
The management commitTCC will be increased by 5 tee responsible for HMC
The 66th JSU National Congress (the highest policy makpercent from Jan. 1, 2006
(Continued on Page 4)
ing body of the JSU) was held in Hiroshima from Nov. 8-10,
2005 commemorating the JSU’s 60th year being the only
seafarer trade union in Japan. The JSU was established on
Oct. 5, 1945 when remains of the war were still everywhere.
Since then, the JSU has overcome many challenges, maintained trade unionism, contributed to the national economy
and people’s lives by providing sea transportation and food,and made various efforts to improve the status of seafarers
as well as to ensure maritime safety.
At the congress, it was reported on the first day that the
JSU has been actively involved at the Maritime Session of
the International Labor Conference for the ILO Consolidated Maritime Convention. The union has taken several steps,
as part of its initiatives for the labor group, in order to makethe Convention the bill of rights for seafarers in close collaboration with the ITF. JSU will further strive to promote theprompt ratification of the Convention as well as its earliest
possible effectuation.

National Congress Marks
Milestone, Achievements(Continued on Page 2)

AC T I V I T I E S(2)Mariners’ Home
Ready This Month

Confined Crews seeking assistance From JSU
By Masanobu Makizoe
Director, Foreign Trades Department

According to report filed by the building
contractor, the six-story JSU-AMOSUPMariners’ Home has already been completed.
The official address of the new JSUAMOSUP Mariners’ Home is 1765 Dr. A.
Vazquez corner Julio Nakpil Street,
Malate, Manila.
The building features a restaurant on the
ground floor together with a kitchen, front
desk and baggage room. The second floorfeatures a conference room, while the thirdand fourth floors can each accommodate
140 beds. The fifth floor has room for up to
30 beds. The sixth floor houses the JSUManila Welfare Office and the JSU-AMOSUP Mariners’ Home Office.
The Mariners’ Home was completed on
December 31, and a ceremony to bless thebuilding is being held January 23. (By Agnes

Harbor masters in Japan havedifferent interpretations of security controls implemented by the
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure
and Transport (MLIT) after the

SOLAS revision of July 1, 2004.
Japanese private berths areespecially likely to confine seafarers to their vessels.
In November 2005, a landing
prohibition on foreign crewmen
was circulated by the security
officer at Nippon Flour Yoko-

Lovingco, Secretary, JSU Manila Welfare Office)Congress–(Continued From Page 1)

Another issue was thetrial of a seamen’s certificate
incorporating biometrics.
Technology tests will be
carried out this autumn inaccordance with ILO Convention No.185 (Seafarers’
Identity Documents). The
JSU continues its efforts tocall for the prompt ratification of the convention, which
will protect the rights andprivacy of seafarers andremove a financial burden
from them.
It is reported that seafarers’ right to shore leave isbeing restricted due to theimplementation of the ISPS
Code. By closely cooperatingwith the ITF and dockworker unions, the JSU will continue its efforts to remove
any restrictions that disregard the reality of the working and living environment
faced by seafarers and thosethat might limit union activities.
On the second day of thecongress, the activities of theForeign Trades Department

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2006

were discussed.
It was first reported thatthe number of Japanese seafarers on board oceangoingships and employed by organized companies (including
1,012 personnel working
ashore) came to 3,281, down
340 (9.4%) from the samemonth last year.
One major reason for thisdrop was the decline in new
recruits, which fell to 70 people during the past year. If
this trend is maintained, thenumber of ocean-going
Japanese seafarers will certainly shrink below 2,000.
Turning to non-domicile
special members (foreignseafarers), the number grew
2,969 from the previous year
to reach 39,167, (including
the fishery sector).
When it came to discussing international activities and activities for nondomicile special members,
the JSU reported that based
upon ITF policies, the union
will promote international
activities in cooperation withother ITF affiliates.
Domestically, the union
will strengthen its cooperative relationship with dockers’ unions, mainly throughDelegates pass a motion at the 66th National Congress

ITF’s FOC campaign. The
JSU will also support ITF
Port of Convenience (POC)
Campaign.
Concerning the problem ofsome FOC shipowners to
shift their ship registries toHong Kong in order to avoid
ITF agreements, persistentefforts by JSU members
have succeeded in raisingawareness between the ITF
and its affiliates that this is
a problem threatening theentire ITF family. JSU willcontinue its activities to prevent shipowners from avoiding the ITF and JSU.
In the ITF Seafarers’ Section meeting in April 2005,
with respect to the need toeliminate unfair competition, an ITF Secretariat recommendation was adopted
which called upon ITF affiliates to secure the same levelof working conditions as ITF
agreements for seafarers on
board bona file national flag
ships if the seafarers are all
non-domicile.
JSU will support ITF
political campaigns – the pillars of the ITF’s FOC activities – promote activities tomake the “genuine link”
stipulated in the UN Con-hama Mill in Yokohama Port.
The ITF inspector who responded
to a plea from the crew protested
the action. The MLIT subsequently directed that this measure be withdrawn by.
JSU directors concerned with
Foreign Trades and General Policy visited the MLIT on November
18 to confirm that new instructions had been given to harbormasters.
Foreign crew are sometimes
prohibited from going ashore in
Japanese ports even though
Japanese crew can do so.
The Ministry and JSU are now
trying to resolve these problems.
Please contact the JSU Foreign
Trades Dept. if you encounter aproblem at a Japanese port (i.e.
are not allowed ashore, allowed
ashore for a limited time, notransportation is available, etc.).

Seiichi Hirayama, secretary, Bureau of International Seafarers, responding to a question.
vention of the Law of the
Sea (UNCLOS) an international rule, and target elimination of the FOC system.
FOC owners are intensifying their attacks on ITF policies, such as the negotiatingrights of unions in beneficial
ownership countries, andincreasing their interferencein union autonomy. JSU willdefinitely resist such unjustifiable arguments andintervention by shipowners.
Negotiations aimed at concluding the revised IBF
framework
agreement,
which becomes effective on
January 1, began back inJune 2005. The JSU represents Asian seafarers on the
ITF negotiating team.
After the conclusion of thenegotiations, JSU will try toreflect requests from its nondomicile special members in
the local negotiations thatwill follow.
To strengthen JSU’s part-nership with non-domicile
special members and meettheir needs, it will review
the status, recruitment standards, and job responsibilityof International Service
Staff. JSU will review its
system concerning nondomicile special seafarers.
The Mariners’ Home in
Manila, one of JSU’s international welfare activities
for seafarers, has been completed and begins operating
this month. Although how tomanage and operate thefacility is still under discussion, the operational cost
will be partly covered by theForeign Seafarers Welfare
Fund (Gaikokujin-fukurikikin).
At the end of the congress,
the JSU pledged to promotevarious activities based
upon its existing policies inorder to protect its members’social status and living conditions on board.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2006

S E A FARERS C O R N E R

Holiday Greetings
From the Heart
To: Elmer Rufino
M/V Century Highway 5
What kind of Christmas can we look forward to this year?
I think the same thing as before. You’re always away fromhome but in spite of that we are still hoping that someday
we can celebrate it together. Just have faith in GOD.
Nawa’y you’re in good health throughout your journey.
Ingat ka, miss you, love you.
Maligayang Pasko, Papa.
Love,
Minda & EJ

(3)

To: Apt. Jose B. Orquinaza
Forestal Pacifico“For a Great Person”
It has been five months
since you left for anothereight-month contract. It’s
surprising how time passed
so quickly, though we are
missing you a lot. The reason is because your family
has accepted your career asa seaman, which keeps you
always away from home.
Whew! Thanks a lot for
the great compensation you
are getting from this kind ofjob, which other families
envy considering the buying
power of the peso in themarket today. We are proudof you as an “OFW”, which
they now call “New Heroes.”
Seriously, we really appreciate your determination incontinuing your career. It issaid that “great power comeswith great responsibility.”
We are aware of the riskthat you take the moment
you step foot on board theship and are also thankfulthat you are always takencare of by our CREATOR.
We understand that it is
not easy to be on the otherside of the world and missing your loved ones here, but
we know that it is how you
grow and love us even more
and becoming a better person. In fact, despite yourabsence, we can still feelyour warm love in your own
way of letting your love be
realized.

Always remember that welove you and the time will
come when you will spend
the rest of your fruitful life
here with us.
MERRY CHRISTMAS andHAPPY NEW YEAR!
Love,
Emalyn & Children

Member’s Voice: Thanks & Praise

Kaiun Awards
Announced
At Congress
The winners of this year’s
Kaiun Award, which honors
the best photograph andbest editorial cartoon submitted by JSU members,
were announced during therecent 66th JSU National
Congress.
In the photo category, thewinner was Takanori Imamura, who submitted “Forced retirement, aged 60.”
The photo shows a ferry
puling away from its berth,leaving behind a man,dressed as an officer, who isclutching a bouquet to hisbreast and waving a bitter-

sweet farewell.
His back is turned to theviewer as he says good-bye
to the ship and to the industry he has served for 43
years. According to the photographer, the ship’s wake
was “a white trail of tears.”“Disharmony” (pictured)
was the winner in the cartoon category. It was drawn
by Shigehiro Nakahara.
The cartoon refers to the
opening of the fourth roundof Group of Six discussions
in Seoul aimed at eliminating North Korea’s nuclear
arsenal.
Blind as bats, Japan, theUnited states, South Korea
and China sing a jolly songof peace while North Korea’s
Kim Jong Il indulges his
nuclear fantasies.

2/O Firoz N. Modak
IndianCrown Emerald
Regarding the work of the
JSU, actually this is my firsttime joining a Japanese beneficiary owned vessel and I
really don’t know anything
about the union.
During my stay here
onboard, we were visited byRegarding IMO training, it
would be beneficial for us
seafarers if the proposed
increase was given to us
directly since IMO training
is not given onboard andmost manning agencies
already have such facilities
in place.
Estimated at US$25 permonth per crewmember,that amount would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Moreover, seafarers
often have to shoulder thecosts associated with training that the manning agencies cannot provide.
This is simply my view. A
fact that deserves to bea Filipino JSU representative three times and very
impressed with the kind ofconcern the JSU imparts to
its foreign members like me.
I have served aboard
many types of vessels but
have never seen a union
putting so much attention
into asking about seafarers’
conditions onboard like the
JSU has. What I am trying
to point out is that the JSU
is really doing a very good
job taking care of its members. I can feel that I can tell
everything to the JSU. Thatis my honest feeling.
Concerning the upgradingof our leave pay benefits, I
would like to say is that the
JSU is really heading down
the right track. I applaud
the JSU for its hard work
upgrading our benefits.

Capt. J. Legaspina
Filipino
M/V Golden Nova
examined carefully. It would
be fair if the windfall was
given to seafarers to pay forseminars and other training.

3/O Augusto Narito
Filipino
M/V Hakone
I am very thankful to the
JSU for helping seafarers
regardless of their nationality.
On the issue of free accessto e-mail, I wish that allcompanies were required toprovide this benefit to all
crewmembers.
I think it is very importantto establish such a systemsince it would allow seafarers to contact their families
even when vessels are atsea. This is especially true
during the holiday season,
when we are away fromhome during Christmas and
New Year’s.
For the type of vessel likemy present vessel, a containership, normally we don’t
have too much time to spend
to call our family. Putting acomputer with e-mail accesson board is a very good idea.
I just hope that our union,
the JSU, will continue its
efforts to improve our welfare and well-being.

I N F O R M AT I O N /AM U S E M E N T(4)LETTER
from
HEADQUARTERS

To all JSU non-domicile
special members: “Happy
New Year.” I offer best wishes to those of you seeing in
the New Year in stormy weather, under a sultry sun on
the equator, or anywhere elsein the Seven Seas.
We, the JSU International
Seafarers Bureau, the headquarters that helps improveyour working conditions,protect your rights and raise
the status of seafarers, hasmany challenges this year.
First, there will be inspections to ensure the newagreement for 2006-07 isunderstood and being applied properly.
The agreement for 2006-07
was decided in local negotiations between JSU and
IMMAJ after the IBF framework was agreed between
ITF and JNG last October.
There are many new items
whose application must be
checked. Please contact us if
you have any questions orcomments.
Second, it was decided at
the National Congress lastNovember that JSU reinforce its solidarity with nondomicile special members.
We are looking into a new
system by which your voices
can be heard more clearly at
the National Congress. We
also seek to reinforce education promotion activities foryou members. Substantiality
increasing the content of the
JSU Maritime Journal ispossible for the time being,
but the major challenge isensuring that every JSU
member vessel receives copiesof the JMJ.
We will also try to reinforce
special members’ solidarity
with other ITF affiliate
unions this year.
Thank you,
Seiichi Hirayama
Secretary,
Bureau of International
Seafarers
All Japan
Seamen’s Union
15-26, Roppongi 7-Chome,
Minato-Ku, Tokyo 106-0032
Tel.: 03-5410-8320
Fax: 03-5410-8336
E-Mail: iss@jsu.jp
Internet: http://www.jsu.or.jp
Publisher: Masaru Mio
Send inquiries to the attentionof Mr. Masanobu Makizoe,
Director, Foreign Trades Dept.

A Seafarer’s HeartIs a Lonely Heart
Noriko Hashimoto, president, National Women’s Association for Mariners(WAM; Zenkoku-Kaiyu-Fujinkai), addressed the 66th
JSU National Congress.
This is what she had to say:
There is no way to comprehend the destruction experienced by Hiroshima on Aug.
6, 1945, without visiting theatomic bomb dome andpeace memorial museum.
I heard that citizens ofpresent-day Hiroshima City
make poetry expressing “awish for peace,” an idea they
will pass on to future generations.
I offer my warmest congratulations to this 66th
National Congress, whichcelebrates the 60th anniversary of the JSU, and which
is being held in this city dedicated to world peace.
Our women’s society,understanding the activityof the JSU, would like tobecome a good partner infuture. Individual voices
might not reach the halls of
the Diet, but if we develop
the whole country, andapproach issues as an organization, then petitions written in the words of one
housewife will be heard
within the Diet, and will beable to help the JSU.
To give you an idea about
what goes on in the women’s
sector, I will describe what

Bayside Fun:
Let’s Go to
Odaiba!
Odaiba is a popular waterfront area reached by the
Yurikamome Line, a computer-controlled train thatruns between Shimbashi
Station and Ariake Station.
Decks Tokyo Beach is acommercial complex featuring Daiba Little Hong Kong
and Tokyo Joypolis, anamusement park operated
by SEGA. Next to it is Aqua
City Odaiba and a 13-screen
movie complex, Mediage.
The National Museum of
Emerging Science and Innovation allows visitors to see
the very latest in technology.
Palette Town is a large complex with shops, amusement
facilities, restaurants, and a
115-meter Ferris wheel.
Mega Web is a theme parkfeaturing Toyota vehicles(you can test drive the cars).
Venus Fort is a theme parkfor women, featuring an
artificial sky that changes
with the passage of time.
Things to see:
Beach – This beach is

Noriko Hashimoto
President,
National Women’s
Association for Mariners

goes on at my local Misaki
branch office.
The “Maru Ship” system
was adopted in the fisherysector, and most of the crew
are now Indonesians. They
come to Japan two days
before the next voyage andbegin preparations to leave
for the open sea. Most cannot understand the Japanese language, and they are
not familiar with Japanese
foods.
When most of the crews
were Japanese, we used togive them miso soup forlunch, but the Indonesiancrewmen cannot eat it. Thenan officer from a local
women’s society discovered
how to make chicken soup.
It was a short period of time,
three days, but we were able
artificial. You can walkalong the shore, enjoy theview, sun bathe, or have apicnic. Entry is free.
The following activities areprohibited: fireworks; swimming; boating; barbecues;
fishing; and throwing yourgarbage around.
Fuji TV studio – Fuji TV
studio is now Tokyo’s No. 1
sightseeing spot. You can geta panoramic view of Tokyo
Bay from the studio’s huge
sphere (entry: ¥500). You
can also visit the TV studio.
Decks Tokyo Beach –Decks Tokyo has two sections: Sea Side Mall andIsland Mall. Inside are boutiques, restaurants, and FM
radio studios. There is also
Little Hong Kong – enter
here and you are no longer
in Japan, but the backstreets of Hong Kong. Buy asouvenir or have some good
Chinese food.
There is also a place called
Microbrewery Beer. Daiba
beer is Decks Tokyo’s original, German-style beer.
Joypolis – A huge video
game arcade (entry: ¥500).
Dark and noisy and a good
option when the weather
outside is cold or rainy.
Aqua City – Similar to

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2006

to improve them home-madechicken soup.
After serving the men, anIndonesian seafarer broughtback his empty bowl andsaid “was delicious” in broken Japanese. He added:“Thank you for tomorrow,mom.” We mothers werevery pleased with the words,
and even though it was asimple thing, the exchange
between us and the foreignseafarers began at thatpoint.
We also hear their gratitude when we bring clothes
for work which our children
no longer wear, as well as
clothes for their women backhome. The bosun divides theclothing equally before thevoyage starts. When the day
arrives for them to leave forthe fishing grounds, theywave to us as the ships leave
the quay.
We, the Women’s Association for Mariners, hope thatJapanese officers and these
foreign crewmen can establish good relationships andimprove their communication on board, even if it is
only a little bit at a time.
With these thoughts we continue to make our soup.
The heart of a seaman
who works apart from his
family is the heart of a lonely man no matter what his
nationality. I think the JSU
must move forward and create a peaceful working environment, seeking to one
heart for the world.
The National Women’s
Association for Mariners ishere to help you as you pursue this noble goal.

will be established in orderto decide examination details and to develop guidelines for implementation.
• Paid leave
Paid leave will be increased from 7 to 8 days.
Leave pay and subsistence
allowance shall also be
increased as appropriate.
• E-Mail access
As long as safety of navigation is not affected, andwith the permission of themaster, free e-mail accesswill be provided to all crews.
This access shall be operated
in accordance with theguidelines set down by eachcompany.
• IMO training
IMO training activities,
and their cost, shall berevised. A committee for
IMO training will be set upby both parties; it will assess
the current state of suchtraining and submit its recommendations.
• Death/disability compensation
The compensation rate fordeath or disability on the job
will be increased by 5% from
Jan. 1, 2006, and by a further 5% from Jan. 1, 2007.
• Food allowance
A committee will be set up
to assess food allowancesand offer recommendations.
Subject to the above revisions, provisions of the existing CBA and CA agreement
shall be amended where necessary. This revision will beeffective from Jan. 1, 2006.

Decks Tokyo Beach, but thisplace is designed as barrier
free and by and large,
restaurants in here are modestly priced (for Odaiba!)
and some even welcome little kids.

Venus Fort – The place isdone up in Renaissance styleand the fountain is a “mustsee.” Fashion and cosmetic
shops, cafes and restaurants
are also worth a look. Thinkof your wife!

IBF–(Continued From Page 1)

Access to Odaiba:
1. Take JR Yamanote Line to Shimbashi Station. The
entrance to the Yurikamome monorail is close to the
Ginza exit – look for the seagull signs. Take the
Yurikamome monorail to Odaiba Kaihin Koen Station(¥310).
2. If your vessel is berthed at Odaiba, board the
Yurikamome monorail at Telecom Center Station and go
to Odaiba Kaihin Koen Station (¥240).