Historic agreement has been reached

The International Shipping Federation (ISF) and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) are pleased to announce that agreement has been reached on principles for a mandatory solution to the matters of liability and compensation regarding claims for death, personal injury and abandonment of Seafarers at a specially convened Joint ILO/IMO meeting in Geneva between 2 – 6 March 2009.
The proposal which is subject to approval of the IMO Legal Committee and ILO governing body is to amend the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 when it enters into force and to add text in regard of these two important issues.  A set of principles have been identified which will be transposed into finalized text at a later date. 
Both parties believe that a historic agreement has been reached which should play a major role in transforming the industry into a profession of choice.  It is also hoped that this will encourage new entrants into the industry.

Source: Transportweekly