Thanks to a concerted campaign by bodies representing the rights of seafarers, new guidelines are set to be introduced which will improve conditions for seafarers who have been abandoned.
SRI, the international pan-industry body researching maritime and seafarers’ law, has applauded the decision by the first meeting of a joint International Labour Organization (ILO) – International Maritime Organization (IMO) Tripartite Working Group to adopt the new measures.
“We hope these new guidelines will reverse the increasing tide of cases of abandonment of seafarers. The lack of a framework to adequately protect abandoned seafarers has been frustrating – but we are delighted to see that positive change is happening,” said SRI executive director Deirdre Fitzpatrick.
“The abandonment of seafarers is a stain on our industry, and it has been shocking to see the rise in cases over past years. We have first seen the pandemic take its toll, and this has been followed by global uncertainty. Yet, at every turn, it seems to be the seafarer who has borne the brunt of the situation,” she added.
Obtaining redress in cases of violation of seafarers’ rights is often challenging as a result of the multiple jurisdictions and laws and regulations involved.
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) reported 85 cases of abandonment to the ILO in 2021, a historic high. In many of those cases, abandoned crew had already been waiting for several weeks or months of unpaid wages.
According to the ITF, non-payment of wages for periods of two months or longer meets the ILO’s definition of abandonment.
