The European Barge Union, the European Transport Workers and IG Rivercruise signed an agreement on collaborating on measures that support equal employment in the European river cruise sector. The three participants aim to improve the working conditions on river cruise vessels, while ensuring a level playing field for the sector.
Under the agreement, the operator of a vessel will be the one responsible for all activities, including all performed services, on board a river cruise vessel.
According to ETF, the first step would be to understand the difficulties of river cruise activities in Europe.
We will make an inventory of the current business models and procedures in river cruise activities, and produce an overview of the European and international rules applying to the sector. We will also map the enforcement of these rules in EU member states and Switzerland, with special attention to situations that could open the door to social dumping or poor working conditions.
In light of the cruise sector’s rapid development, the business model are now more complicated, meaning that now the collaboration of more parties, as vessel owners, operators, catering companies, is needed in order to deliver one cruise.
Because of the fact that there is increased participation on a cruise call, there have been violations of the laws, on many EU member states, against the employment of workers in river cruise activities.
The personnel onboard cruise ships has been working in non-nautical functions, such as hospitality and catering.
Now, it remains unclear which legislation, European or international, applies to those working on a cruise ship and results to confusion on how the rules are enforced in EU member states and Switzerland. As a result, it is not always evident which party is responsible for each activity and the staff who carry it out.
ETF concluded that a socially sustainable river cruise shipping will be achieved
Once we have a clear view of the context, EBU, ETF and IG Rivercruise will draw joint conclusions and propose adequate binding measures or agreements, to be implemented by autumn 2020.
In favour of employees, ITF recently welcomed ILO’s Convention and Recommendation to tackle violence and harassment in workplace. ITF supported that the lives of ITF union members, and in particular women transport workers, will be improved as a direct result.
