Among major business disruptions, the pandemic impacts the safety and well-being of seafarers and fishers, their ability to join their vessels and return home, and the future of their jobs. As of mid-April, the volume of global merchandise trade was falling by 13%, and there are estimates of a decline of 32% or more, WTO estimates.
Similar to their male co-workers, women also feel isolated or lonely at sea. This may be exacerbated if they are the only woman onboard or they face gender-based discrimination due to forming part of a male-dominated industry.
In light of the challenging situations arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, the International Labour Organization (ILO) issued a joint statement highlighting that seafarers should be exempted from travel restrictions and be treated as “key workers”.
The UK Department of Transport have sent a letter to the ILO, IMO, and WHO, in regards to the UK’s commitment to seafarer welfare during the current COVID-19 pandemic and how they plan to facilitate seafarer transit and transfer to keep world trade moving.
The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered an economic and labour crisis that could increase global unemployment by almost 25 million, according to a new assessment by the International Labour Organization (ILO).
On 5 March 2020, Lithuania ratified the ILO Protocol on Forced Labour, and became the 45th country worldwide and the 18th in Europe to ratify the Protocol, pledging to eradicate forced labour.
2020 will see several regulatory changes, with the main on being the IMO 2020 sulphur cap. However, in addition to the sulphur cap regulation, numerous other regulations will also be implemented worldwide by the IMO and ILO over the course of the year.
A workshop organized by key UN and European instruments took place in Lisbon Portugal, on 18-20 February, aimed to help all stakeholders, particularly, developing countries, build the capacity they need to ratify and implement the MLC.
Following reports received regarding the impacts on the shipping industry of the Coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19), the IMO issued guidance to Member States and others on implementation and enforcement of relevant IMO Instruments, urging no unnecessary delays to ships.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) published its new report “World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2020” focusing on the global unemployment and the insufficient paid work, which impacts almost half a billion people worldwide. Specifically, ILO’s report highlights that due to lack of decent work, people are struggling to build a better future through their career.
