The French expedition cruise operator Ponant and the International Transport Federation (ITF) have signed a collective agreement concerning non-EU seafarers in which standard minimum salaries are raised, breakdown of overtime hours reviewed, and social security cover is revised, the company said in a statement.

Ponant’s non-EU seafarers work under the ITF’s Maritime Labour Convention, as EU seafarers already benefit from their own national schemes. From recruitment conditions to wages, including social security cover, working hours and contract terminations conditions, all the topics have been approached.

Benefits that will apply from 1 January 2023 aboard Ponant’s ships include overtime being counted from 44 hours instead of the current 48, standard minimum salaries raised for operational staff, an extension to the sick leave period and a raise in death and disability compensations

This agreement is in line with the “Explore to inspire” roadmap led by Hervé Gastinel, CEO of Ponant, who places the human and social dimension at the heart of the company’s strategy to move upmarket, become more international, and socially responsible.

Recognised as the largest global organisation in the transport sector, ITF connects 700 trade unions from 150 countries, providing a voice for 20 million employees working in transport worldwide.

The agreement, negotiated by both François Vielfaure, Special Advisor for Marine Operations, and Thomas Verdier-Fuentes, Fleet Crewing Director, is a milestone on this maritime company’s CSR road map, the central pillar of which is focused on employees, Ponant said in a statement.