International Transport Workers’ Federation - ITF Current Situation of the Maritime World David Cockroft, General Secretary International Transport Workers’ Federation – ITF XXII World Congress of the Apostleship of the Sea Gdynia, Poland, June 2007

International Transport Workers’ Federation - ITF International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) Global union federation for transport workers 600 unions, 5 million transport workers Seafarers, Fisheries, Inland Navigation, Road, Rail, Civil Aviation and Tourism Services 230 seafarers unions representing 700,000 members

International Transport Workers’ Federation - ITF Aims of the ITF Organise solidarity between unions Represent transport workers to decision- making bodies, alongside governments and employers Provide information, education and assistance to strengthen the position of ITF affiliated unions Post Durban Congress, ‘Organising Globally’

International Transport Workers’ Federation - ITF ITF Maritime Activities FOC Campaign - ILO MLC, 2006 POC Campaign Fisheries - ILO Work in Fisheries, 2007? Seafarers’ Trust

International Transport Workers’ Federation - ITF Current Challenges Isolation and job security Stress and criminalisation Security issues and denial of shore leave Safety and health problems, incl. Fatigue Abandonment Abusive practices in fisheries

International Transport Workers’ Federation - ITF Seafarers’ Welfare Study Commissioned by the ITF Seafarers’ Trust: To assess the current welfare needs of seafarers To inform Trust decision making processes when awarding grants to new projects To contribute to knowledge base on current conditions in the industry

International Transport Workers’ Federation - ITF Seafarers’ Welfare Study 4,185 questionnaires to seafarers - 3,792 returned 112 interviews with seafarers 200 survey questionnaires to owners and managers – 86 returned 52 semi-structured interviews with owners / managers

International Transport Workers’ Federation - ITF Key Outcomes Seafarers’ priorities: communication and transport to facilities Of declining importance: organised sightseeing, sports facilities, meeting local people, reading room, video/book exchange, onshore accommodation Why ?

International Transport Workers’ Federation - ITF Dominance of economic pressures Trend in dehumanising the job Reduced manning levels Faster turnarounds in port Long terms of voyage Increased pressure (criminalisation) Problems in accessing facilities

International Transport Workers’ Federation - ITF Shore Leave 64% of respondents to the survey had not had shore leave during the previous eight weeks 36% who had had shore leave during the period said their leave lasted for 2 hours on average Compares with 57% satisfied with shore leave in 1996 MORI survey

International Transport Workers’ Federation - ITF Seafarers’ Welfare Workers 72% said they had not seen any seafarers’ welfare worker onboard during their current contract Majority of seafarers would like to have contact with a welfare workers – main reasons given: for information about the local area and for personal counselling 70% would like to have a welfare worker sailing on their vessels from time to time

International Transport Workers’ Federation - ITF Life at Sea Seafarers descriptions of their life: ‘being in prison’, ‘isolated’, ‘lonely’, ‘a sacrifice’ to provide better conditions for loved ones What they would like: Free transport to welfare facilities, information about ports where they call, balanced application of ISPS, improved communication facilities

International Transport Workers’ Federation - ITF ITF & AoS Over the lift of the Trust, AoS has received over £9 million in grants for use in more than 280 different projects Importance of co-operation and partnership with other agencies Welcome commitment to maritime welfare, look forward to more long-term maritime ministry initiatives

International Transport Workers’ Federation - ITF