The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) says it welcomes moves by the United Arab E mirates (UAE) to further protect the rights of seafarers.
The UAE Federal Transport Authority (FTA) now requires all UAE flagged ships and all ships operating in UAE waters to have a contract of insurance to protect seafarers in the event of abandonment, death or serious injury.
David Heindel, chair of the ITF’s seafarers’ section, said the maritime union was “strongly behind the UAE’s mandate” for the financial protection of seafarers operating in its waters.
“Basic rights are being violated on a daily basis by companies operating in this region who not only fail to pay wages, but also fail to provide safe working conditions and enough food and clean water for their seafarers,” he said.
“This mandate makes clear that ship owners must provide financial protection against abandonment, death or injury.
“This is a huge step forward in a region where, historically, ship owners have been allowed to repeatedly abuse the rights of seafarers. This has to stop and it has to stop now.”
Late last year the UAE and the ITF agreed to work together to tackle abandonment cases in domestic waters following several such incidents.
The tie-up came just days after the UAE’s FTA banned Varun ships from its waters over its persistent abandonment of crews.
Both parties are said to have agreed to develop a protocol to govern a closer working relationship, including increased cooperation and information exchange.
FTA officials said they would push for the UAE to ratify the Maritime Labour Convention 2006, with the ITF committing to provide advice, training and expertise to assist with this.
Heindel said at the time that the UAE’s decision would set a good example to other states in the region and he hoped that others would follow suit.
Last year the ITF has intervened in 36 abandonment cases world-wide, involving 400 seafarers.
