5 things slowing down the campaign on seafarers’ rights
A Sailing Boat or Boats at Sea with Blustery Clouds, c.1823–6
Watercolour by J. M. W. Turner (1775–1851) / Wikimedia Commons
The campaign to promote seafarer rights has undoubtedly made giant strides. Like a boat at sea, however, it continues to be buffeted by wind and waves. The following are five things that slow down or even stall the collective effort to advance the rights of those who work at sea.
1. Indifference among seafarers
Many seafarers are too focused on their jobs to speak up for their rights. They leave it to the unions to take up the cudgels for them. Somebody should do a survey on how many seafarers have actually read ILO Maritime Labour Convention, 2006.
2. Blackballing of seafarers
While no blacklist exists as such, word is spread around by manning agents on who reports double bookkeeping and other malpractices to the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF). Such seafarers are marked as undesirables who should not be hired.
3. Maritime schools not doing their part
Maritime education is all about knowledge, skills and competency. How many schools teach young aspiring officers about their rights and duties under international law?
4. Greedy, self-serving manning agents
Greed among manning agents knows no bounds. The routine skimming of money from the remittances of Filipino seafarers is proof of this maxim. Manning agents fear losing their foreign principals. Some will oppose legitimate money claims from seafarers in order to protect the interests of the P&I clubs and shipowners.
5. Excess of slogans and rhetoric
Sloganeering and the use of rhetoric have their place in any campaign to promote seafarer rights. The problem arises when the words sound hollow, do not match reality, or are not followed through with meaningful actions.
~ Barista Uno
