Asia-Pacific seafarers say further action on piracy and national regulation crucial

News Release International Transport Federation (ITF) June 8, 2012

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Piracy will be high on the
high on the agenda of the ITF’s (International Transport Workers’ Federation)
2012 Asia Pacific Seafarers and Fisheries committee. 
 
Seafarer trade unionists
from across the Asia-Pacific region will meet in Jakarta from 11 – 14 June to
discuss plans on piracy, cabotage, and improving standards for fisheries
workers.  
 
ITF Seafarers and Fisheries
Section Secretary Jon Whitlow commented: “The ITF continues to work well with
government and the maritime industry to eradicate dangers for seafarers.

 
“Although piracy in the
Indian Ocean remains a problem, with many seafarers being help captive for
months one end, the joint Naval Forces and Maritime Industry Committee has
resulted in a better co-ordination and exchange of information. Despite limited
resources, it has improved the safety of seafarers.
 
The global economic crisis
makes the event particularly important this year, with unionists concerned over
how market conditions in maritime sector is affecting safety and job security.
This highlights the importance of cabotage, a national regulatory framework with
clear and enforceable rules.
 
Hanafi Rustandi, President
of Kesatung Pelaut Indonesia (KPI) commented: “Cabotage is an extremely
sensitive issue in the Asia Pacific region. There have been far too many safety
incidents due to lax legislation. The time has come to invigorate the role of
national administrations and apply clear rules to operators who have sought to
exploit existing ambiguity in order to lower safety and employment standards.

 
Improved regulation is also
crucial for the fisheries sector, wherefishing and food processing unionists are
working together to improve standards across the supply chain. The recent
decision of the New Zealand government to reflag foreign fishing vessels has
highlighted how grave problems of labourrights abuses and safety in the industry
have become, and ITF unions will be discussing the next steps in their joint
campaign with the IUF (International Union of Food Workers). 
 
The conference will be
attended by ITF affiliated unions from Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan,
New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, and
Taiwan.
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