Tag: ISWAN

A free 24 hour multi-lingual helpline for seafarers run by ISWAN

Seafarers need better access to communication at sea

International Seafarers Welfare Awards Launched

ISWAN warmly welcomes the MLC 2006 as Maritime Labour Convention will improve the well-being of the seafarers

Mission to Seafarers supports port levies call to action

Best practice and operating port levies A report published today by the International Seafarers' Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) details best practice in establishing and operating port levies around the world. The report, "Port levies and sustainable welfare for seafarers", documents how levies make a real difference to welfare organisations and the services that they are able to provide for seafarers, at a time when funding for seafarers' welfare is under pressure.Port levies and sustainable welfare for seafarers shows that 35% of the 132 participating ports already operate port welfare levies. Voluntary levy payment rates were 75-99% for 10 of these ports, and the average levy rate emerged as $58 (approximately 38). While there are often no restrictions on levy expenditure, revenue is almost always used for maintenance of seafarers' centres, operating seafarer transport, and covering staffing costs.This report is being launched in the run up to the ILO's Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006) coming into force on 20 August 2013. The MLC states that "Every seafarer has the right to health protection, medical care, welfare measures and other forms of social protection." (Article IV). And MLC guidelines on financing of welfare facilities include: "levies or other special dues ...

ISWAN to Publish updated Medical Booklet The International Seafarers' Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) has just published Multilingual questions for the medical assessment and treatment of seafarers. This updated publication assists medical professionals, first officers, port health authorities and welfare workers, among others, with assessing and treating seafarers in emergency and non-emergency situations.The booklet covers a range of medical areas including cardiac events, injuries to different parts of the body, and pain relating to specific conditions. Medical questions can be quickly and easily translated from English into Arabic, Bahasa Indonesia, Burmese, Chinese, Filipino, Hindi, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Thai.Roger Harris, Executive Director of ISWAN said, "Seafarers having access to medical help is a vital part of ensuring their welfare. Multilingual questions for the medical assessment and treatment of seafarers will improve communication and help seafarers receive the treatment they may need. We were pleased to have been able to collaborate with the International Maritime Health Association and the UK Merchant Navy Welfare Board in the production of ISWAN's first publication."You can find more information here.Source:International Seafarers' Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN)

ISWAN Officially Launched on 1 April