A plan to combat combat violence and harassment, including sexual harassment, bullying and sexual assault, in the maritime sector, is being developed by the International Maritime Organization and the International Labor Organization, both of which are specialised agencies of the United Nations.
A meeting of the Joint ILO/IMO Tripartite Working Group was held at the IMO HQ in London at the end of February to discuss future next steps, including legislation, mechanisms, policies and enhanced training. Following the deliberations, the joint group has agreed on several recommendations to be submitted to the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (one of the five main committees of the IMO) which is due to meet in May and also the ILO’s governing body in due course.
The recommendations include harmonized terminology in the appropriate instruments and guidance; mandatory training for seafarers in an updated set of amendments to the Seafarers’ Training Certification and Watchkeeping Code; and the adoption of measures by maritime administrations and shipping companies to address violence and harassment. These latter measures would support the implementation of the IMO requirements for the Safe Management and Operation of ships at Sea (the ISM Code) and would include policies and procedures to care for victims and protect against retaliation; would specify that safety management systems should ensure compliance with mandatory rules; and the apportionment of responsibilities on companies’ senior management and administrations for addressing reported cases as well as providing adequate resources to respond.
The group also recommended that the MSC instruct other, lower, committees of the IMO to consider a new requirement that would see perpetrators removed from service via the suspension or revocation of credentials of any seafarer convicted of sexual assault.
IMO Secretary-General Mr. Arsenio Dominguez said:
“We remain steadfast in our commitment to creating a safe and respectful working environment on board. Recognizing that this is not only a moral imperative but also a practical necessity for the industry’s sustainable growth, we are committed to preventing and combatting bullying and harassment in the maritime sector. Our shared goal is clear – to meet the expectations of seafarers, the industry, Administrations, and the public at large in making shipping free of any form of aggression.”
ILO Director of the Sectoral Policies Department (SECTOR), Mr. Frank Hagemann said: “it is essential that we do everything in our power to address issues that can cause experienced seafarers to leave the sea or to dissuade young women and men from taking up the profession. Any form of (…) violence and harassment is in direct contradiction to the very concept of decent work. There must be zero tolerance of such behaviour.”
See also:
Global shipowners body sets out industry principles to combat harassment and bullying
