GB.340/Resolution
Draft resolution concerning maritime labour issues and coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
11 November 2020
In line with paragraphs 5.7.1 of and 5.7.2 the Standing Orders of the Governing Body, the Workers’ group has submitted a draft resolution concerning Maritime labour issues and coronavirus disease (COVID-19) for consideration and adoption by the Governing Body.
The draft resolution has been agreed between the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), and other key maritime actors who engaged in social dialogue to discuss measures to address the unprecedented challenge that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the shipping industry.
The Workers’ group invites all three constituent groups to send a unified message on this critical issue.
There are approximately 400,000 seafarers currently trapped working aboard ships due to the border and travel restrictions taken by governments to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. These measures have impeded the ability of the global shipping industry to effect the necessary crew change cycles, on which the safety of maritime transportation and the resilience of global supply chains depend.
For every seafarer who cannot be repatriated, there is another unemployed waiting to join the ship, bringing the number of seafarers impacted by this crew change crisis to 800,000. Estimates indicate that this unsustainable situation could ultimately affect up to 1 million seafarers by March 2021 if concerted action is not taken to alleviate this crisis. The potential impact on the global economy of a disintegration in the reliability of shipping, which transports some 90 per cent of the world’s goods, should not be underestimated.
These seafarers require immediate repatriation as they have completed their original tours of duty, and in some cases have been on board for more than 17 consecutive months – often without access to shore-based leave and/or medical treatment. This is having subsequent adverse impacts on seafarers’ rights, including fundamental principles and rights at work, and the provisions on decent work and living conditions protected in the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (as amended). Seafarer fatigue presents an immense risk to the physical and mental health of individual seafarers, the safety of navigation, and the related increased risk of maritime incidents and environmental disasters.
While the Workers’ group appreciates the difficulties governments face, and the delicate balance needed to protect public health and their populations, too little progress has been made to defuse this situation. Flag, port and labour supply States all have interrelated and interlocking duties to seafarers to either arrange, facilitate or finance seafarer repatriation, and must work together to fulfil their independent responsibilities.
Download the draft resolution (pdf)
The draft resolution has been agreed between the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), and other key maritime actors who engaged in social dialogue to discuss measures to address the unprecedented challenge that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the shipping industry.
The Workers’ group invites all three constituent groups to send a unified message on this critical issue.
There are approximately 400,000 seafarers currently trapped working aboard ships due to the border and travel restrictions taken by governments to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. These measures have impeded the ability of the global shipping industry to effect the necessary crew change cycles, on which the safety of maritime transportation and the resilience of global supply chains depend.
For every seafarer who cannot be repatriated, there is another unemployed waiting to join the ship, bringing the number of seafarers impacted by this crew change crisis to 800,000. Estimates indicate that this unsustainable situation could ultimately affect up to 1 million seafarers by March 2021 if concerted action is not taken to alleviate this crisis. The potential impact on the global economy of a disintegration in the reliability of shipping, which transports some 90 per cent of the world’s goods, should not be underestimated.
These seafarers require immediate repatriation as they have completed their original tours of duty, and in some cases have been on board for more than 17 consecutive months – often without access to shore-based leave and/or medical treatment. This is having subsequent adverse impacts on seafarers’ rights, including fundamental principles and rights at work, and the provisions on decent work and living conditions protected in the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (as amended). Seafarer fatigue presents an immense risk to the physical and mental health of individual seafarers, the safety of navigation, and the related increased risk of maritime incidents and environmental disasters.
While the Workers’ group appreciates the difficulties governments face, and the delicate balance needed to protect public health and their populations, too little progress has been made to defuse this situation. Flag, port and labour supply States all have interrelated and interlocking duties to seafarers to either arrange, facilitate or finance seafarer repatriation, and must work together to fulfil their independent responsibilities.
Download the draft resolution (pdf)