The International Labour Organization (ILO) held a virtual validation workshop (18th September 2024) to discuss the findings of a new report titled "The Future of Seafarers: Emerging Challenges, Opportunities, and Achieving Decent Work for Seafarers in Selected Pacific Island Countries." The report focuses on the maritime industry in Fiji, Kiribati, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu, highlighting its critical role in sustainable development, regional cooperation, and poverty alleviation.
Key Findings and Recommendations
The report underscores the significant contributions of seafarers' remittances to the economies of Pacific Island Countries (PICs). These remittances enable many families to remain in their villages, reducing migration pressure on urban areas. However, the report also identifies several challenges faced by seafarers, including inconsistent ratification of international standards, implementation gaps, and financial and human resource constraints.
Key Recommendations:
• Enhance Collaboration and Partnerships: Strengthen partnerships between maritime schools, shipping companies, and international donors.
• Modernize Training Infrastructure: Update the training infrastructure and curriculum of maritime training schools.
• Ensure Compliance with IMO Standards: Align training and certification standards with International Maritime Organization (IMO) requirements.
• Strengthen Regulatory Compliance: Improve adherence to regulatory standards.
• Foster Career Advancement: Promote professional development, gender equality, and women's empowerment.
• Collect Best Practices: Gather and share best practices across the sector.
Workshop Highlights
In his opening remarks, Mr. Martin Wandera, Director of the ILO Office for Pacific Island Countries, emphasized the importance of the workshop. "This validation workshop marks a significant milestone in our shared efforts to address the emerging challenges and opportunities facing our seafarers. We have the opportunity to shape a future where seafarers are protected, empowered, and equipped to meet the demands of an ever-changing industry," he stated.
Stakeholders at the workshop highlighted the vital role of seafarers in addressing poverty and generating remittances. They stressed the need for collaborative efforts to ensure that the final report incorporates stakeholder perspectives and serves as a valuable resource for shaping future research, policy-making, and development programs in the PIC region.
Ms. Murielle Metsan Meltenoven, Commissioner of Labour, Vanuatu, remarked, "The study sheds light on several critical areas that require our attention and action. Ensuring that we align with international labour standards, such as the Maritime Labour Convention, is crucial. Together, let us pave the way for a brighter future for our seafarers, ensuring their rights, decent work, and well-being are upheld."
Next Steps
The comments and feedback from the validation workshop will be incorporated into the final report, which will be published and disseminated to constituents for potential uptake and action on the recommendations. The report aims to inform policy decisions and programmatic interventions to promote decent working conditions for seafarers.
The validation workshop was part of the ILO's Pacific Climate Change, Migration, and Human Security-Phase II Program (PCCMHS). It was attended by officials from various government departments, training institutes, and representatives from employers' and workers' organizations from the Pacific Island Countries.
