Tag: seafarer’s rights

ILO MLC 2006 - rights and protection for more than 1.2 million seafarers The ILO's Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), 2006 provides comprehensive rights and protection at work for the world's more than 1.2 million seafarers. The Convention aims to achieve both decent work for seafarers and secure economic interests in fair competition for ship-owners.

To ensure that no ships visiting ports are manned by exploited seafarers Seafarers' and dockers' unions in India and Sri Lanka will once again set out to ensure that no ships visiting their ports are manned by exploited seafarers.Staggered weeks of action are being organised this year in September, November and December, with inspections taking place this week (26-30 September) in Cochin, Chennai, Colombo and Tuticorin ports. ITF inspectors/contacts and activists of seafarers' and dockers' unions will inspect ships flying flags of convenience (FOCs) to ensure safe working and crew conditions on board.Inspection will also be carried out at all the private terminals at these four ports. Inspectors and port union leaders will also aim to highlight and mobilise on the plight of contract workers at private port terminals and denial of trade union rights and negotiated working conditions for them.This is in line with the historical solidarity that exists between the port and dock workers and seafarers globally and which manifests itself in the current ITF FOC-POC (ports of convenience) campaign.Source: ITF

Over 96% of respondents wanted to have more information on their legal rights The vast majority of seafarers want to know about their legal rights, according to a large-scale survey published by Seafarers Rights International (SRI). The research, carried out by the Working Lives Research Institute, was based on survey responses from more than 1,000 seafarers from 58 nations on ships visiting European ports.The survey found that over 96% of respondents wanted to have more information on their legal rights. However, a quarter of respondents also revealed that they would be reluctant to seek legal advice about their work because of the consequences for their employment and their families.The main reasons given for seeking legal advice were contract disputes (30%) and personal injury (26%), as well as unpaid wages, shore leave, abandonment, criminal charges, discrimination, and piracy.SRI executive director Deirdre Fitzpatrick, who is the ITFs legal officer, said: Seafarers do not have the same protections as land-based workers and often find it difficult or impossible to understand if the law can help them and how to access that help.The SRI was launched last September at the headquarters of the International Maritime Organization and is backed by the ITF Seafarers Trust.Source: ...