All ships flying the United Arab Emirates (UAE) flag trading internationally, as well as all ships operating in UAE waters above 200 gross tons, must have a financial security system to protect seafarers against abandonment, death or injury, according to a circular published by the UAE Federal Transport Authority.
The insurance must cover up to four months’ owed wages and entitlements, FTA noted.
This measure is to enter into force from 20 February 2018, as the country is entering into Maritime Labour Convention (MLC). Ships not complying with the requirement will not be allowed to anchor or call UAE ports.
In the past, UAE has been criticized several times for seafarer abandonment cases in regional waters.
Back in October, UAE joined forces with the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), seeking to develop a protocol to govern a closer working relationship, including increased cooperation and information exchange, to tackle abandonment cases in UAE waters.
The FTA officials announced they would push for the UAE to ratify the MLC Convention 2006, and the ITF committed to provide advice, training and expertise to assist with this.
