seafarer’s rights

Criminalisation a major fear for seafarers, study finds

A survey by Nautilus International has found that criminalisation is still a major worry for those working in the shipping industry. In fact, almost 90% of the respondents are worried about the risk of prosecution.

The survey included more than 500 seafarers and found that about 70% of the respondents suggested the threat directly affects their desire to remain at sea. It has also an important impact on recruitment and retention within shipping.

In addition, one in ten (15%) said that they have...

https://safety4sea.com/criminalisation-a-major-fear-for-seafarers-study-finds/

Norway secures 700 seafarers jobs

Norway has decided against the reflagging of Color Line vessels, according to the Norwegian International Ship Register (NIS) flag. The company’s ships will remain under the Norwegian Ordinary Ship Register (NOR), securing the jobs and wages and conditions of Norway’s seafarers.

The Norwegian Seafarers Union won the fight against Color Line’s attempt to reflag some of its vessels.

The vessels will remain under the Norwegian Ordinary Ship Register (NOR), securing the jobs and maintaining the wages...

https://safety4sea.com/norway-secures-700-seafarers-jobs/

Mission to Seafarers, Panama agree to provide seafarer welfare services

The Mission to Seafarers signed an agreement with the Panama Maritime Authority to provide seafarer welfare services in Panama. The agreement will enable the Mission to Seafarers to create welfare services at all major Panamanian ports, including the Panama Canal.

According to the agreement, the Panama Maritime Authority will support and facilitate the creation of the National Board of Well-being of the Seafarers and Port Wellness Committees. This is a new body which will promote and assess the...

https://safety4sea.com/mission-to-seafarers-panama-agree-to-provide-seafarer-welfare-services/

Agreement reached to increase minimum wage for seafarers

The International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), convened in Geneva at the Joint Maritime Commission Subcommittee on Seafarers Wages. The two organizations decided to update the minimum wage for an able seafarer by 27 USD over the next 3 years.

ITF and ICS convened at the Joint Maritime Commission Subcommittee on Seafarers Wages, to review the ILO Minimum Wage for an Able Seafarer (AB) provided for in Code B of the Maritime Labour Convention,...

https://safety4sea.com/agreement-reached-to-increase-minimum-wage-for-seafarers/

Asian seafaring nations focus on fair treatment of seafarers

A Regional Meeting of Asia’s leading seafaring nations focused on the situation that many seafarers face in case of a maritime accident. As a result, the nations promised to advance effective implementation of the IMO and International Labor Organization (ILO) agreed Guidelines on the Fair Treatment of Seafarers. The meeting took place in Manila on November 13.

The meeting took place in Manila on November 13, organised by Seafarers’ Rights International (SRI), and DOLE, the Philippine Department...

https://safety4sea.com/asian-seafaring-nations-focus-on-fair-treatment-of-seafarers/

ICS: STCW Convention needs revision

Speaking in Manila, the Chairman of ICS, Esben Poulsson, called for a revision of the IMO STCW Convention, which governs global standards for the training and certification of about two million merchant seafarers.

According to Mr. Poulson, nowadays a number of employers provide additional training and assessments before the deployment of many officers holding STCW certification. This practice raises questions as to whether the Convention ‘is still fit for purpose in the 21st Century.’ 

He added...

https://safety4sea.com/ics-stcw-convention-needs-revision/

Danish Shipping worried about EU regulation on seafarer working conditions

Seafarers would be subject to the rules described in the Working Conditions Directive if it is submitted to the European Parliament. So, there is potential for additional financial and administrative burdens for the maritime industry, Danish Shipping believes.

Since the European Commission presented its proposal for a directive on “Transparent and predictable working conditions in the European Union”, it has been linked to several so-called ‘European Pillar of Social Rights’.

The proposed...

https://safety4sea.com/danish-shipping-worried-about-eu-regulation-on-seafarer-working-conditions/

Inspections show deficiencies in cadets’ working hours

According to the Marshall Islands, Port State Control (PSC) deficiencies are being issued, mostly in Belgium, over cadet working hours. Namely, most training agreements do not include overtime, however some inspections have showed that cadets are often working excessive overtime hours.

Cadets are seafarers and must be covered under a seafarers’ employment agreement (SEA) or a training agreement in lieu of a SEA.

Most training agreements include a monthly lumpsum payment and do not include...

https://safety4sea.com/inspections-show-deficiencies-in-cadets-working-hours/

Abandoned Chief Officer in Kish Island repatriated after charity intervention

British charity Human Rights at Sea announced the successful repatriation of an Ethiopian Chief Officer who was abandoned on Kish Island, Iran, ‘after a direct, but polite intervention by the charity’. The Chief Officer was also owed outstanding wages which have now been paid in full.

The abandoned seafarer contacted the charity on 12 October to outline that, having completed a six month contract, he had been extended by four further months without pay before the owner had deducted two months...

https://safety4sea.com/abandoned-chief-officer-in-kish-island-repatriated-after-charity-intervention/

Philippines strengthens compliance with STCW Convention

The President of Philippines issued an executive order (EO), in late September, further strengthening the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) to ensure the country’s full compliance with the 1978 International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).

Signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on 21 September, the EO 63 foresees that the MARINA should establish systems and mechanisms ‘for the promotion and protection of the well-being of the seafarers...

https://safety4sea.com/philippines-strengthens-compliance-with-stcw-convention/

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