The International Transport Workers’ Federation on July 10 posted the following information on its web site. To download the report – in PDF format, 466kb in size – mentioned in the middle paragraph below, click HEREITF calls for measures to improve seafarers’ lives
The ITF has addressed the challenges of life at sea today and called for the prompt ratification of vital international conventions to tackle poor working conditions.
Participating in a panel on seafarers at the United Nations Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on the Law of the Sea (UNICPOLOS) in New York on June 23-27, ITF Seafarers Section Secretary Jon Whitlow highlighted the importance of improving quality of life at sea. He argued that seafaring was becoming increasingly difficult, not least as a result of poor shore leave access, the criminalization of seafarers and inadequate facilities for communication with family and friends. It was crucial to promote the ratification and proper implementation of the International Labor Organization (ILO) Maritime Labor Convention and ILO convention 185 on seafarers’ identity documents, he claimed. Respect for the people who underpinned world trade was vital. He also reminded delegates of the need for real and effective flag states, drawing attention to the new report: “Real and Present Danger, Flag State Failure and Maritime Security and Safety,” produced jointly by the ITF and the independent conservation organization WWF.
Following the discussions, participants agreed on a number of points, which will be put to the UN General Assembly. Among them were proposals that the General Assembly emphasize the need to promote a culture of safety in the shipping industry; ensure that security and safety measures are implemented with minimal negative effects on the working conditions of seafarers and fishers and invite all states to ratify and implement effectively the Maritime Labor Convention, the Work in Fishing Convention and the Seafarers’ Identity Documents Convention.
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