The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) says Australia is experiencing economic carnage from clogged ports as a result of rapidly worsening crew change crisis around its coasts.
As the global cruise industry and seafarers’ unions near completion of the repatriation of almost 250,000 seafarers, the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) warns that there are challenging times ahead for the industry and its workforce.
The IMO received a report of ICS and ITF entitled ”Outcome of the surveys on health protections measures onboard ships in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic”. The ICS survey aims to gain further understanding of the health protection measures introduced by companies on board their ships during the pandemic.
Following the crew change issue that has presented due to the coronavirus travel restrictions, International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) estimates that around 300.000 seafarers are stranded onboard ships.
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and Global Cruise Lines have reached an agreement that will see crew continue to be repatriated over the coming days.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, ITF, Joint Negotiating Group and the International Chamber of Shipping have joined their forces to find effective solutions concerning the crew change issue that has presented.
In light of the COVID-19 outbreak and the crew change matter that has presented, Human Rights at Sea strongly denounces ITF’s ‘Enough is Enough’ Call to Action.
‘Enough is enough’ said ITF on crew changes noting that, from 16 June, seafarers are going to start enforcing their right to stop working and to return home, after governments’ failure to enable crew changes and release the 200,000 seamen who remain onboard with extended contracts.
In light of the coronavirus outbreak and the crew change issue that has arise, TUI Group started repatriation processes for its seafarers onboard Mein Schiff 3.
Amid the COVID-19 crisis and the crew change issue that has arise, ICS, ITUC and ITF joined their forces and wrote a letter to the UN Secretary General in order to facilitate seafarers’ transportation.
