The 48th National Maritime Board (India) – NMB (I) Collective Bargaining Industry Agreement was negotiated and signed by NUSI on 14th December. The strong NUSI team of Mr Louis Gomes – Vice President; Mr Milind Kandalgaonkar – General Secretary-cum-Treasurer; Mr Sunil Nair – Assistant General Secretary; Mr Suresh Solanki – Organising Secretary; and Mr Maksood Khan – Assistant Secretary negotiated a “Jabaradast” NMB(I) agreement for Ratings and Petty Officers serving on Foreign Going, Home Trade, Offshore Vessels, Tugs/Crafts of Indian flag.

NUSI Founder, Mr Mohamed Ebrahim Serang signed the NMB(I) agreement in the year 1957. Since last more than sixty-five (65) years, NUSI has strongly represented the seafarers and finalized the NMB(I) which is very important nationally and internationally.

Seafarers will continue to get allowances and conditions which have not been changed under the Savings clause of the NMB(I). The detailed NMB(I) booklet will be published at the earliest. The main features of the NMB(I) agreement are as follows:-
The 47th National Maritime Board (India) – NMB (I) industry agreement will expire on 31st December, 2023. NUSI was able to start the new 48 NMB (I) agreement from 1st January, 2024 itself without any delay with huge increase in wages and terms and conditions. This 48th NMB (I) agreement will expire on 31st December, 2027 until revised.
Foreign Going: Overall increase of more than forty-two 42 percent in the basic wages alone for Ratings and Petty Officers till 31st December, 2027
Home Trade: Overall increase of more than 25 percent for the Ratings and Petty Officers in the basic wage alone till 31st December, 2027
Offshore: Overall increase of more than 18 percent for the Ratings and Petty Officers in the basic wage alone till 31st December, 2027
The leave for the Off-Period for Ratings will continue to be at 77 days. Equal on/off on MSV Vessels for Ratings and Petty Officers.
Tugs/Crafts: Overall increase of more than 12 percent for Ratings and Petty Officers in the basic wage alone till 31st December, 2027
Shipboard engagement period for Ratings revised as follows:
Foreign Going reduced from 9 months to 8 months (+/- 1 month).
Home Trade reduced from 9 months to 8 months (+/- 1 month).
Prolonged Service benefits: Basic wages will be increased by 10% from 1 of the 10 month for the extended period.
For the first time NUSI was able to introduce seniority recognition. Seafarers on Foreign Going Indian articles of agreement will be eligible for service incentive of Rs. 500/- p.m. on completion of 36 months of uninterrupted sea service with the same company. The gap between 2 assignments should not exceed 12 months.
Death and Disability compensation to be as follows:
For Ratings and Petty Officers on FG, HT & OSV
Death compensation increased from existing Rs. 22,00,000/- to Rs. 40,00,000/-.
100% Disability compensation increased from existing Rs. 25,00,000/- to Rs. 45,00,000/-.
For Ratings and Petty Officers on Tugs and Crafts
Death compensation increased from Rs. 22,00,000/- to Rs. 30,00,000/-
100% Disability compensation increased from Rs. 25,00,000/- to Rs. 35,00,000/-.

Additional amount of Death and Disability Compensation on ships carrying radioactive cargo on board increased from Rs. 3,00,000/- to Rs. 5,00,000/-.

Special payment for injury during anti-piracy watch increased from Rs. 50,000/- to Rs. 75,000/-.
Compensation for Ratings and Petty Officers towards loss of personal effects increased from Rs. 80,000/- to Rs. 1,00,000/-.
Fixed Shipboard Allowance revised as follows:
Foreign Going increased from Rs. 2400/- to Rs. 3000/- p.m.
Home Trade increased from Rs. 1985/- to Rs. 2500/- p.m.
Leave Subsistence Allowance revised as follows:
Foreign Going increased from Rs. 250/- to Rs. 400/- per day.
Home Trade increased from Rs. 250/- to Rs. 400/- per day.
Offshore increased from Rs. 250/- to Rs. 400/- per day.
Special allowance increased as follows (where applicable):
Foreign Going by 10%
Home Trade by 10%
Offshore by 10%
Tugs and crafts by 10%
Female Ratings whilst on Maternity leave to be paid leave subsistence allowance of Rs. 550/- per day for each day of paid leave.
Radioactive cargo Allowance increased from Rs. 10,000/- to Rs. 15,000/- p.m. or pro rata on Foreign Going, Home Trade and Offshore vessels.
Miscellaneous allowances (Boarding and Lodging allowance) increased from Rs. 450/- to Rs. 500/- per day per head for boarding increased increased from Rs. 350/- Rs. 400/- per day per head for Lodging.
Flight Insurance increased from Rs. 25,00,000/- to Rs. 40,00,000/-.
Severance / Redundancy compensation
increased from Rs. 4,50,000/- to Rs. 6,00,000/- for below the age of 55 years.
increased from Rs. 3,00,000/- to Rs. 4,50,000/- for between the age of 55 to 58 years.
increased from Rs. 2,50,000/- to Rs. 4,00,000/- for above 58 years.
Relief on compassionate grounds: A seafarer to whom this Agreement applies may terminate employment when, during the course of a voyage it is confirmed that the spouse, parent or dependent child has fallen seriously ill or died. In such cases, the repatriation cost is to be on Company’s account.
Seafarers whilst on Articles of Agreement and discharged on medical grounds resulting in death or permanent unfitness/disability, while they are taking treatment at company’s expense, will be compensated under Death and Disability Clause.
All things being equal, the companies will re-employ seafarers who have sailed with them earlier based on their appraisal reports. Companies will endeavor to employ trainees on board subject to availability of accommodation and Life Boat capacity.
Trainees engaged on FG, HT and OSV vessels will be paid an all inclusive stipend increased from Rs. 5,000/- to Rs. 10,000/- per month and Rs. 5,000/- to Rs. 8,000/- per month for Tugs and Crafts.
Companies to have counselling facility for the wellbeing of the seafarers including free 24/7 “NUSI Sahara” helpline on 1800-102-5110.
Passenger Run ship board allowance will continue to be at 20 percent of the basic wage as applicable.
Internet Connection = The Company will provide free e-mail facility only without attachment to all categories of seafarers subject to availability.
Visa fees = All visa and visa-related expenses will be borne by the shipowners.
Shore Leave = If any seafarer while employed onboard desires to visit the port, same is to be organised by the Shipowners provided it is permissible under port regulations.
Recreational facilities = The shipowners shall provide recreational facilities as required on board the vessel including technical books for the development of the seafarers.
The company will deposit amounts of Pension and Annuity for all Ratings and Petty Officers in the individual seafarers account maintained with the Commissioner, Seamens’ Provident Fund for FG, HT and OSV as applicable.
25% of Ex-gratia amount will be deposited with Seamens Provident Fund Office.

Savings Clause: Notwithstanding anything contained in these agreed terms of the CBA/MOU no Rating or Petty Officer shall stand prejudiced of any benefits or privilege given as per earlier agreements except to the extent that they are revised at this NMB(I). The terms and conditions of the earlier agreement not revised will continue to be in force.

“NUSI was able to give a “concrete” agreement because of the trust and confidence the seafarers and their families have for NUSI. All Ratings and Petty Officers and their families should contact NUSI Head Office, Mumbai or the 24 NUSI Branch offices pan-India. Seafarers should strengthen NUSI, up-to-date their membership to receive many benefits of NUSI initiatives like medical grant, education grant, scholarship grant, skill enhancement, social programmes, etc. as per guidelines,” said Mr Kandalgaonkar.

Marex Media