The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has launched a set of “Industry principles for establishing effective measures to combat and eliminate harassment and bullying in the maritime sector”.
The principles have been published against the backdrop of a report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) – alongside Lloyd’s Register Foundation (LRF) and Gallup – on experiences of violence and harassment at work. The first of its kind global survey and analysis benefitted from insights of 74,364 respondents in employment across a range of sectors in 121 countries and territories.
Although the data from the global ILO-LRF-Gallup report does not cover cases on board ships, the figures do point to a need for all industries and sectors to ensure that they do the utmost to prevent harassment and bullying. The maritime sector is no exception and must continue to take the issue very seriously.
… said International Chamber of Shipping Director of Employment Affairs, Helio Vicente
Five high-level principles
Company policies and complementary measures to successfully combat harassment and bullying in the maritime sector should be mindful of the following high-level principles:
- Be data driven (e.g., surveying employees on board and ashore).
- Foster a culture of inclusion and diversity.
- Support all cultural backgrounds, races, religions and faith.
- Treat complaints of harassment or bullying with seriousness and treat those making complaints with respect and dignity, avoiding “victim blaming”.
- Include a statement of strong leadership commitment to the elimination of harassment and bullying.
ICS submitted the industry principles to shipping’s global UN regulators, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO), ahead of a joint meeting between the two UN bodies, alongside governments, shipowners and unions, convened to address this issue in the maritime sector.
Eight detailed principles
Company policies and complementary measures to successfully combat harassment and bullying in the maritime sector should also be mindful of the following, more detailed, principles:
- Define what ‘harassment and bullying’ means for your company, including examples of behaviours that constitute these actions.
- Raise organisation wide awareness about your company’s stance and expectations regarding ‘harassment and bullying’.
- Establish effective company policies to combat ‘harassment and bullying’ throughout your company.
- Ensure that anti-harassment and bullying policies are developed through social dialogue with workers and are fully supported by senior management.
- Consider additional measures for adoption, as a complement of existing company policies to combat ‘harassment and bullying’.
- Identify and implement further measures, complementary to company policies to combat harassment and bullying holistically.
- Ensure sustained improvements in your anti-harassment and bullying policies and complementary measures.
- Combat harassment and bullying by fostering and promoting a positive work culture on board.
The joint ILO/IMO Tripartite Working Group meeting to identify and address seafarers’ issues and the human element will take place from 27-29 February 2024.
In a separate paper to be considered at the upcoming ILO/IMO meeting, ICS emphasises that company policies and initiatives alone will not suffice to address the issue, adding that the maritime sector’s ability to successfully combat harassment and bullying also depends highly on the effectiveness of collaboration between governments, shipowners’ and seafarers’ representatives (unions), including to promote positive cultures on board.
Unions can raise awareness and set expectations for their members, including appropriate deterrents, while all States should review their national civil and criminal codes to verify consistency with requirements of ILO’s Maritime Labour Convention and Violence and Harassment Convention, both of which apply to the maritime sector.”
… concluded Tim Springett, Chair of the International Chamber of Shipping Labour Affairs Committee
