Our Expertise

Recent research from Cardiff University (ITF/SIRC 2007 report Port Based Welfare Services for Seafarers) has detailed the major welfare needs of seafarers in today’s modern age. The main points identified were:

• Help with making contact with family and loved ones back home
• Transport from the ship to town or a seafarers’ centre
• Personal ship visiting and spiritual support

Seafarers’ Rights

The rights of seafarers are protected by international law. 2006 saw a significant advance in the field of seafarers’ rights when the International Labour Organisation adopted the Consolidated Maritime Labour Convention. The Convention guarantees fair and decent working conditions for seafarers worldwide. In order to have force in law, it must be ratified by at least 30% of the countries responsible for 30% of world shipping tonnage.

In reality though, it can be difficult for seafarers to claim their rights. They may be reluctant to speak out about abuse for fear the consequences. Sadly, there are frequent instances of unacceptable working conditions, unfair wages and even violence or sexual abuse against seafarers. It is widely believed among seafarers that complaining leads to blacklisting by manning agents. This effectively prevents them from working at sea again.

Related Organisations

ILO - The International Labour Organization

The International Labour Organization (ILO) is devoted to advancing opportunities for women and men to obtain decent and productive work in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity. Its main aims are to promote rights at work, encourage decent employment opportunities, enhance social protection and strengthen dialogue in handling work-related issues. In promoting social justice and internationally recognized human and labour rights, the organization continues to pursue its founding mission that labour peace is essential to prosperity. Today, the ILO helps advance the creation of decent jobs and the kinds of economic and working conditions that give working people and business people a stake in lasting peace, prosperity and progress.

The ILO is the global body responsible for drawing up and overseeing international labour standards. Working with its Member States, the ILO seeks to ensure that labour standards are respected in practice as well as principle.

For more information visit their website at http://www.ilo.org

ITF - International Transport Workers' Federation

The International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) is an international trade union federation of transport workers' unions. Any independent trade union with members in the transport industry is eligible for membership of the ITF. 654 unions representing 4,500,000 transport workers in 148 countries are members of the ITF. It is one of several Global Federation Unions allied with the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC).

The aims of the ITF are set out in its Constitution (see below). They are:

• To promote respect for trade union and human rights worldwide
• To work for peace based on social justice and economic progress
• to help its affiliated unions defend the interests of their members
• to provide research and information services to its affiliates
• to provide general assistance to transport workers in difficulty

Although the range of ITF activities is very wide, they can be best summed up under three key headings:

• Representation
• Information
• Practical solidarity

The ITF has been helping seafarers since 1896 and today represents the interests of seafarers worldwide, of whom over 600,000 are members of ITF affiliated unions. The ITF is working to improve conditions for seafarers of all nationalities and to ensure adequate regulation of the shipping industry to protect the interests and rights of the workers.

For more information visit their website at http://www.itfglobal.org

MCA - The Marine and Coastguard Agency

The MCA is responsible for safety at sea on behalf of the British government. Its role includes co-ordinating search and rescue at sea and ensuring that all ships which enter British waters meet national and international safety regulations.

When a ship enters a British port, the captain is obliged to allow MCA inspectors to board. Each month, the MCA receives an average of nine reports of significant breaches of maritime legislation. If on inspection, the MCA finds that a ship fails to meet international safety standards, it can be put under arrest. For the crew, arrest of the ship can be disaster: detained in a foreign port with no right to come ashore and inadequate provisions.

For more information visit their website at http://www.mcga.gov.uk

ICMA - International Christian Maritime Association

The International Christian Maritime Association (ICMA) is a free association of 27 Christian non-profit organizations engaged in welfare work for seafarers who include those working on merchant, fishing and passenger vessels. These 27 organizations represent different Christian Churches and Christian communities. Each member keeps his independence and autonomy. ICMA was founded in 1969 to encourage ecumenical collaboration and mutual assistance between these different organizations on the local port level, but on the national and international level as well. In a fragmented and divided society, it is ICMA ’s mission to promote unity, peace and tolerance.

For more information visit their website at http://www.icma.as

ICSW - International Committee on Seafarers' Welfare

The ICSW is an international umbrella organisation dedicated to the practical implementation of the International Labour Organisation instruments on Seafarers Welfare Convention 163 & Recommendation 173. The ICSW is a Company Limited by Guarantee registered under United Kingdom Law. The ICSW is a 'Not For Profit' organisation governed by its Memorandum of Association, Articles of Association and Rules.

For more information visit their website at http://www.seafarerswelfare.org