2010 to focus on seafarers' welfare

The International Committee on Seafarers Welfare (ICSW) on December 21 that 2010 would see a renewed focus on seafarers welfare and quality employment standards.

ICSW will be undertaking a series of major new projects based on the impetus provided by the IMO-designated “Year of the Seafarer” and the anticipated increase in ratifications of the ILO Maritime Labour Convention.

David Dearsley, recently retired from the International Maritime Employers Committee (IMEC), has agreed to chair the ICSW project team, which will complete its work over the next twelve months.

The ICSW comprises employers, represented through the ISF, seafarers, represented by ITF and government and international voluntary port welfare service providers.

A small project team will be formed to steer through the ICSW initiative.

“We have identified a range of exciting new projects to be developed during 2010 which focus on building on the strengths of the employment practices of the upper quartile of our industry and on promoting this best practice to others,” said Mr Dearsley.

The ICSW project will focus on four key areas:

Measures to explain and promote what needs to be done to comply with the ILO Maritime Labour Convention around seafarers’ welfare and wellbeing
Promotion of knowledge and best practice of seafarers’ welfare through the launch of a new online toolkit
Inauguration of an annual awards scheme to recognise those who achieve most in the promotion of seafarers health, welfare and wellbeing
Building and promoting these initiatives within the impetus created by the designation of 2010 as the IMO “Year of the Seafarer”
 

Source: Baird Maritime