ITF Tasks Flag States To Take Responsibilities Of Seafarers,Dockers Regardless Of Nationality

The International Transport Workers Federation ITF, has urged all flag states and flags of convenience to take proper responsibility for the health and wellbeing of all workers and passengers onboard their vessels when there are cases of Covid-19, regardless of their nationality.

The ITF and its affiliates represents seafarers, dockers, tug boat workers and inland transport workers within Maersk, called on the company to ensure they have in place Personal Protective Equipment to guard against the transmission risks of Covid-19.

The transport federation said its dealing every day with situations where seafarers cannot move freely to safely sign on and off ships,noting that “This is due to the increasing number of restrictions being placed by national governments on movements in and out of their country.

“All our maritime affiliates representing seafarers and dockers, are also asking flag states to take proper responsibility for the health and wellbeing of all workers and passengers onboard their vessels when there are cases of Covid-19, and this includes flags of convenience.

The ITF in a statement to the Maersk AGM following up its calls for action in the wider transport industries during the Covid-19 pandemic, noted that “At this time of grave danger for the maritime industry, and to the wellbeing of transport workers, the ITF has called on Maersk to show responsibility for all its workers in its extended supply chain at sea and ashore.

“Also, for full pay to be provided in the unfortunate instances that the virus is caught by any worker, or should that worker have to go into self-isolation as a precaution.

“Ships must be able to sail in order to ensure the export and import of vital goods and medicines, and for this to happen crew changes must be carried out while infection control measures are observed.

“Therefore, governments need to recognise the vital role of seafarers in this extraordinary crisis, and for them to be treated as ‘key workers’, regardless of nationality.

In its statement to the Maersk AGM the ITF also reiterated its concern in respect of Maersk Line business operations with the Melbourne port of convenience.

These issues have been identified, and the ITF has advised the company that it expects a constructive and committed ongoing dialogue to resolve them.