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由於Covid-19爆發，同時全世界將近90%的貿易都經由船舶運輸，因此國際海事組織（IMO）陸續發布了幾封通告，確保各項務實規範確實實施，力求使船舶運輸平穩、世界貿易流動接續不斷。可惜的是，各利益關係者（政府、船旗國、港口國、船級社、船東和公司）對於政策各有不同解釋，船舶安全操作的重要性，似乎已被大家拋諸腦後，致使海事工人與海洋環境的安全陷入險境 。 70多年來，IMO持續為海上的災難與事故努力發展和修訂各項規範。每當發生無法預料的海上災難時，全世界都會團結起來，一同克服災難，並吸收經驗、加強安全規範，展現海事行業的韌性。 如今ITF最為在乎的一點，是數十年來的努力以及各項已實施的國際法規，會因為人們求方便而被破壞殆盡，也不再像疫情爆發初期那麼有必要性。這樣的情況將使風險繼續擴大，繼續危害海事工人的生命與安全。 我們主要的關注領域包括： -海事工人的安全與保障； -合適的人員配置； -休息時間； -船舶證書與海員證書的延長期； -環境保護法規與海事工人的安全； -推廣以電腦輔助訓練 (CBT) 進行船上安全訓練和遠端檢查。 以上各領域將併入ITF的「適可而止！(Enough is Enough)」運動，因為船員有義務也有責任對降低安全保障、減少人員配置、休息時間減少的狀況表達「適可而止！」的心聲。 作為船員的代表，我們會善盡一切方法，從主流媒體到法律體系進行遊說，以提高社會的警覺度，確保各方確實遵守和執行為保障船員生命安全的規範。 ---------------------------------------------------------- ITF E-Circular No. 263 S/D/F/IN/SS/2020 Our ref: S/D/F/IN/SS/JS/an 12 August 2020 “Enough is enough!” campaign Dear Friends, RE: Maritime workers safety and areas of concern under IMO Regulations Since the outbreak of Covid-19 and since almost 90% of the world’s trade is transported by ships, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has issued several circular letters to facilitate the continuous movement of the world trade by ensuring smooth operations of ships with practical and pragmatic approaches. Unfortunately, due to the different interpretations by relevant stakeholders - Governments, flag States, port States, classification societies, ship owners and companies -, safe ship operations seem to have be forgotten or deprioritized, thereby endangering the safety of maritime workers and the marine environment. IMO regulations have been developed and amended by painstaking endeavours over the past 70 years in response to catastrophic and tragic accidents at sea. Whenever there was an unforeseen maritime disaster, the world joined forces in solidarity to overcome the calamity and the maritime industry showed its resilience by enhancing safety regulations as lesson learnt. Today the ITF is deeply concerned that the work that has been achieved over decades and the international regulations that have been implemented, are being undermined out of convenience and no longer because of necessity as it was in the beginning of the pandemic. Such practices are setting a dangerous precedence that could continue, putting maritime workers’ life and safety in jeopardy. The main areas of concern are: · Safety and security of maritime workers; · Safe manning; · Hours of rest; · Extension of ships’ and seafarers’ certificates; · Environmental protection regulations and maritime workers’ safety; · Promoting the use of Computer Based Training (CBT) for onboard safety and security training; and · Use of remote inspections. The above areas of concern will be integrated into the ITF “Enough is Enough” campaign since we have an obligation and responsibility to the seafarers to say “enough is enough” to reduced safety and security, to reduced manning, to reduced hours of rest and to added responsibilities beyond their duties – all of these factors are threatening the lives of the seafarers. As seafarers' representatives (organisations and unions), we all have a vital role to play in raising awareness of the seriousness and severity of these issues and how it negatively affects the maritime workers and their family. It is our duty to use every means possible from mainstream and trade media to the legal system and lobbying efforts to raise awareness and ensure that the regulations that have been developed and adopted for the safety and security of the seafarers are being abided and enforced. This requires a concerted effort and a proactive approach from each of us. Thank you for your continued commitment. Please contact ITF Accredited Representative to the IMO Branko Berlan at Berlan_Branko@itf.org.uk if you require further detailed information. We hope this information assists you in your efforts. In unity, Jacqueline Smith Maritime Coordinator International Transport Workers’ Federation ITF House, 49-60 Borough Road, London, SE1 1DR www.itfglobal.org |
