Durind the Day of the Seafarer, ECSA encourages European governments to recognise seafarers as key workers.
ECSA also advocates for fair working and living conditions during and after the pandemic; suitably qualified and trained seafarers are essential to achieving safe, secure, environmentally sound and efficient shipping as well as attractive and inclusive careers in the maritime sector.
Every year, European shipping contributes around €149 billion to the EU’s GDP and 2 million jobs. 76% of the EU’s external trade in goods and 32% of its internal transport of goods is carried by ships. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the European shipping industry has been working even harder to ensure that vital goods such as food and medical supplies, as well as energy supplies and the transport services continue to be delivered to millions of EU citizens. All of this was largely due to seafarers and as Kitack Lim – IMO Secretary General – mentioned: “seafarers have always been at the heart of world trade and their work touches the lives of each and every one of us”
ECSA stated.
Commenting on the importance of the day, Claes Berglund, ECSA President, said that seafarers are the one keeping the trade moving. However, he said that:
It has been a very tough year, and the inability to do crew changes has had a huge impact on all seafarers. The sacrifices have been enormous and we should all be very grateful for the fantastic job done
Mr. Berglund also added that now the focus is to get everyone vaccinated, without shipping forgetting that it must offer “good working conditions, proper training, a safe workplace, and of course a fair pay.”
We should also be much better in attracting female seafarers. Our ships should be inclusive and welcome anyone who wants to work onboard
Furthermore, Adina Vălean, the European Commissioner for Transport, noted that since the pandemic, the EU has taken measures to facilitate crew changes and remove travel restrictions.
She warned though that “the situation remains precarious in many parts of the world, as too many seafarers are working well beyond their contract. They face mental stress, physical exhaustion, and in some cases COVID outbreaks, with limited access to health care or vaccines.”
Today we recognize we must do more to secure the safety of seafarers. Vaccinating should be a priority, but we need every country onboard to make it happen. We should also work together to address weaknesses in crewing practices, labour conditions, and human rights protection. Let’s look after our seafarers
In light of the situation, IMO’s 2021 Day of the Seafarer campaign has chosen the theme of “A Fair Future for Seafarers”.
Our 2021 Day of the Seafarer campaign builds on the progress to support seafarers on pandemic-related challenges. It aims to draw global attention to all areas where fairness is important. This includes a safe, secure environment on ships, reasonable working conditions, fair treatment in all situations, as well as respect for the rights of all – regardless of race, gender and religion
Currently only 60 IMO member states have designated Seafarers as key workers. Therefore, IMO will continue to work with sister UN Agencies, industry and member states in support of seafarers.
