Tag: wellness at sea

Looking into the future of seafarers welfare

Forced labour in shipping and fishing industries still an issue

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 ...

Mission to Seafarers calls for better crew welfare

Satellites to play a more important role in maritime safety Philippine officials expect satellites to play a more important role in protecting Filipino seafarers from threats and keeping them in touch with their families.Ambassador to the UK Enrique Manalo brought this up with the International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO) in London last January 24."The advent of modern technology now allows the Filipino seafarer to remain in touch with his family even when he is in the high seas," Manalo told IMSO Director General Esteban Pacha, according to a news release of the Department of Foreign Affairs.Satellite communications vital for seafarers' welfare Manalo and Pacha also noted the important role played by mobile satellites in promoting the safety of international shipping and the welfare of seafarers, more than a quarter of whom are Filipinos.Both officials agreed that with satellite technology, seafarers can use broadband Internet access to maintain links with their families.They can also use satellites to send distress signals in the event of disasters, and in facilitating the dispatch of search and rescue units to come to their assistance.With Manalo at the meeting was Minister Francisco Noel Fernandez III.PHL is 'critical backbone' in int'l satellite communications During a tour of ...