Industrial relations at SMOU reflects the strong tripartite relationship between the Government, Shipping Companies and the Union.

What is Collective Bargaining?

• It is the process of negotiations held between employers and the union in order to reach an agreement on employment matters relating to wages, working conditions, benefits, leave … etc.
• The CBA once concluded by both parties will be registered with the Singapore Industrial Arbitration Court (IAC), certified by the president of IAC & gazetted as a legal document.

Benefits of having a SMOU CBA

• The SMOU CBA is your international guideline to ensure the working conditions and minimum wages for your seafaring officers are globally compliant and accepted.
• It increases your competitiveness amongst maritime employers in the labor markets for world class seafaring officers all around the world.

Enhances / Continuity of good relationships

• Increase employees security
• Good employer and employee relationships should not be taken for granted. A CBA defines the working relationship which is critical for continuity as people join and leave your company.

Key considering factors that would influence the CBA’s discussion

• Today, we all know that employer and employees have to work hand in hand towards achieving the same goals. To ensure this win-win state of play, business concerns besides staff /crew welfare are factored into the CBA’s discussion process.
• This involves customising each CBA in line with
  • Current Economic situations
  • Company & Employee’s performance

Companies should ensure that they are pursuing the CBA for the right reasons such as:

• To enhance & continue good employee and employer relationships.
• Ensure that their officers’ wages & working conditions are compliant & globally accepted.
  CBAs are categorised as follows:
  • SSA Singapore Flag Vessels / Singaporean officers
  • SFA Singapore Flag Vessels / Foreign officers
  • FFA Foreign Flag Vessels / Foreign officers and Ratings
• SMOU/SOS ITF TCC CBA
• SMOU/SOS IMEC (IBF) TCC CBA

For a specimen of the CBA or details, please contact Mr Gwee Guo Duan at gweegd@smou.org.sg.

FOC CBA

 

This non- negotiable agreement, also known as FFA, is designed by the International Transport Federation (ITF). This agreement is signed between shipping companies, Singapore Maritime Officers’ Union (SMOU) and Singapore Organisation of Seamen (SOS).

 

Singapore Flag CBA

 

This contract agreement, also known as SFA, is an agreement negotiated between shipping companies and unions to ensure a fair agreement for both parties. With these signed agreements, it also aims to promote Singapore as an International Maritime Centre (IMC).

CESSATION OF SEAFARERS’ PROVIDENT FUND - SCHEME OF ADMINISTRATION ("SPF-SOA")

We refer to our several Notices to Participants notifying the extension of the expiry of the SPF-SOA from 31st December 2019 to 31st December 2021 for Participants or their proper claimants to submit Withdrawal Forms.

 

SMOU would like to inform that administration of SPF has formally ceased with effect from 31st December 2021.

 

All unclaimed monies from the SPF-SOA as at 31st December 2021 will be audited and utilised in accordance with Rule 19 of Constitution of SMOU.

 

For more information, please contact SMOU at spf_closed@wavelink.com.sg.

The Singapore Maritime Training Fund (SMTF) is established in collaboration with SMOU, maritime authorities, shipping employers and other collaborative partners for developing quality and qualified seafarers to man Singapore Flag ships. 

SMTF promotes collective training, education and skills upgrading for SMOU seafarers to face future challenges and opportunities.  It aims to help SMOU members, serving onboard vessels covered by SMOU Collective Bargaining Agreement, to upgrade their skills so that they can continue to improve their employability and enjoy wage progression.

 

Its collective and cost-effective training for seafaring officers improves their employability and also the competitive edge of their shipping employers which in turn, enhances Singapore as an International Maritime Centre. 

 

Benefits of SMTF and Collective Training

• Affordability – cost efficient from collective training with industry partners
• High Investment Yield – improves commercial business with well-trained officers
• Professional – training programs are meticulously scrutinized and approved by industry partners
• Quality – quality seafarers mean Zero Accidents, Pollution and Fatalities

 

Contact Details

SMTF Administrator @email: smtf@wavelink.com.sg

 – Only available to SMOU Filipino & Burmese Members

 

SMOU Seafarers’ Medical Scheme (SMS) provides general medical protection to SMOU Filipino and Burmese seafaring officers and their dependents under the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with participating shipping partners.  Knowing that their dependents are well taken care of, it gives the officers a peace of mind as they sail the seas.

 

Eligibility

SMS members are active Filipino and Burmese officers serving on board vessels covered by SMOU CBA and whose shipping companies/employers are contributing to the SMOU SMS.

 

Criteria

Each SMS member can nominate up to 4 dependents:

1. legitimate spouse (maximum age of 62 years)
2. legitimate children (maximum age of 21 years)
3. natural or adopted parents (maximum age of 62 years)
4. legitimate siblings (maximum age of 62 years)

 

Individual “Notification of Approval” will be issued to each SMS members and their dependents once the enrolment is approved.

 

SMS Coverage at SMS Clinics (in-person)

1) The Notification of Approval is required to be produced upon each in-person visit at the SMS clinics.

2) Each family unit (comprising the SMS member and his nominated dependents) shares a maximum of 4 free medical coverages (as listed) per calendar month:

1. Medical Consultation
2. Complete Blood Count
3. Chest X-ray
4. Routine Urinalysis
5. Routine Fecalysis
6. Electrocardiogram (ECG)
7. Fast Blood Sugar (FBS) Test (check for Diabetes)
8. Cholesterol Test (check for cardiac)
9. Triglyceride Test (check for cardiac)
10. Creatinine Test (check for kidneys)

 

Location of SMS Clinics

Country	City	Clinic	Address
Philippines	Manila	Transnational Medical & Diagnostic Center Inc	551 Cabildo St., Casa Marinero II, Intramuros, Manila
	Iloilo	Transnational Medical & Diagnostic Center Inc	E. Lopez St., Jaro, Iloilo City
		Physicians’ Diagnostic Service Center Inc	#7A Mabini St, Brgy Railway, La Paz, Iloilo City
	Cebu	Physicians’ Diagnostic Service Center Inc	104 F. Ramos ST., Cebu City Philippines
	Davao	Physicians’ Diagnostic Service Center Inc	#49 Jose Palma Gil St Brgy, 4A District , Davao City
	Cagayan De Oro	Physicians’ Diagnostic Service Center Inc	Burgos Street. cor. T Chavez Street., Brgy. 6 Cagayan De Oro City, Misamis Oriental Philippines
Myanmar	Yangon	Asia Pacific Medical & Dental Centre	98 A Kabar Aye Pagoda Road, Bahan Township, Yangon

 

 

Tele-Consultation via Doctor Anywhere (DA) in Philippines only

To make healthcare more convenient, accessible and ensure SMS members/dependents can seek timely medical attention, total SMS coverage now includes tele-consultation with Doctor Anywhere (DA) Philippines. During the trial period from September 2024 to March 2025, SMS members and their nominated dependents residing in Philippines get 2 free tele-consultations with DA Philippines.

 

Criteria for SMS with Doctor Anywhere, Philippines (DA, PH)

1) As per existing SMS criteria.SMS enrolment has been enhanced to be submitted electronically.

2) DA (PH) is only available to Filipino SMS members working onboard SMOU CBA vessels.

3) Mandatory for all nominated dependents to provide their individual valid email address upon SMS enrolment.

4) All enrolled SMS members and their nominated dependents will receive a welcome email from DA PH to download the DA’s App and register for DA’s tele-consultation service.

5) In addition to the maximum of 4 free medical coverage at SMS clinic (in-person visits) per month, each SMS family unit shares another 2 free tele-consultations with DA (PH) during the SMS member’s contract period of work onboard.

6) Key Features of SMS DA (PH):

a) Each family unit (comprising the SMS member and his dependents) will be issued 2 DA e-voucher codes to share.

b) The 2 e-voucher codes are only for tele-consultations and do not cover costs for medicine/other medical procedures.

c) The 2 e-voucher codes are valid from the point of approval till SMS member’s contract end-date.

d) SMOU and Wavelink will not be liable for any claims/compensation/legal recourse in the course of tele-consultations between the SMS member/family and DA.

 

Contact Details

SMS Administrator at email: sms@wavelink.com.sg

The SMOU Seafarers’ Accommodation Scheme (SAS) is established to promote affordable temporary accommodation for seafaring officers serving on vessels covered by SMOU Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), while they are onshore in Singapore prior to or after duty, or in Singapore for training purposes. It also helps CBA companies to defray accommodation costs of their seafaring officers.

 

The SAS approved accommodation service provider are:

1. SAS hotels are:
   1. The Seacare Hotel : (65) 6818 2680 / reservations@theseacarehotel.com.sg
   2. Furama City Centre: (65) 7639 6464 / reservations.citycentre@furama.com
   3. Furama Riverfront: (65) 6739 6464 / reservations.riverfront@furama.com
   4. Copthorne King’s Hotel : (65) 6733 0011 / rooms.cks@millenniumhotels.com
   5. Grand Pacific Singapore: (65) 6336 0811 / reservations@hotelgrandpacific.com.sg
   6. Travelodge Harbourfront Hotel : (65) 6818 6666 / rsvn.tlhs@travelodgehotels.asia

       

2. Pay-Per-Use Lounge at Changi Airport Plaza Premium Lounge

CBA companies may enable their seafaring officers to utilise the Pay-Per-Use Lounge at Changi Airport Plaza Premium Lounge for short period of stay before their departure flight.

Plaza Premium Lounge, Pay-Per-Use Lounge, Changi Airport

Location: Terminal 1, Level 3, Departure Transit Hall (above Gate C1) 

Operating Hours: 24 hours, daily

Tel: +65 6443 2730

Email: singapore@plaza-network.com

Website: www.plazapremiumlounge.com

 

Salient points of SAS:

 

1. SAS is intended for seafaring officers who sail on board SMOU CBA vessels and who may require overnight stay when in Singapore for crew change/training purposes.

    

2. Based on the number of vessels owned, companies are allocated SAS vouchers value (valued at S$50 each) to be used for offsetting room charges at SAS accommodation service providers approved by SMOU.

    

3. Companies may claim for the room/pay-per-use lounge charges up to the total value of SAS value allocated.

 

 

Contact Details

SAS Administrator at sas@wavelink.com.sg 

The Employment Act applies to all employees regardless of nationality, who is under a contract of service with the employer. The Employment Act is a law passed by the Ministry of Manpower that governs the welfare of the employees. Designated work and rest hours are to be adhered to and other conditions of the service such as the wages of the employees are also covered.

 

Part IV of the Act covering rest days, work hours and conditions of work only applies to

1. Workmen who are not earning more than S$4,500 basic monthly salaries
2. Employees earning not more than $2,000 basic monthly salaries

 

There is no distinction between a temporary employee, contract, daily-rated, or employees no tenured employment. Should your employee works less than 35 hours a week, they are covered under the Employment of Part-Time Employees. This provides a degree of flexibility for the employers as well as employees.

 

For more details of the Employment Act, please visit the Ministry of Manpower’s website.

The Central Provident Fund (CPF) serves as a comprehensive social security savings plan that has given many working Singaporeans a sense of confidence and security. Working Singaporeans and their employers make monthly contributions to the CPF and these contributions go into three accounts:

Ordinary Account - these savings can be used to buy a home, pay for CPF insurance, investment and education.

Special Account – this account is for old age expenses and investment in retirement-related financial products.

Medisave Account - these savings can be used for hospitalisation expenses and approved medical insurance.

 

The savings in which Singaporeans deposit into the CPF earns a minimum risk-free interest of 2.5% guaranteed by the Government. Special, Medisave and Retirement Account savings currently earn a guaranteed minimum 4% interest until 31 December 2012.

For more details on the different components of CPF, please visit the Central Provident Fund Website.