A report supporting measures aimed at increasing the rights and conditions of individuals working in the international maritime industry was launched in Strasbourg yesterday.
Compiled by Mary Lou McDonald MEP (SF), the European parliament report seeks a decision from the European Council authorising member states to ratify the 2006 Convention of the International Labour Organisation. It is due to be voted upon today. Among the issues addressed are employment conditions, accommodation, recreation, catering, medical care, welfare and social security for all those working in the maritime industry.
Launching the document, Ms McDonald said it would bring about a "sea change" in an industry that is struggling to recruit new members due to poor conditions. The Irish Ferries controversy in 2005 served as a reminder of the need to "level the playing pitch", something it was hoped the convention could help to achieve, she said.
She stressed ratification of the convention by the 27 EU member states would bring it close to the 30 countries required for it to become internationally binding. However, she acknowledged that the "next logical step" would also be for a previous EU directive on manning conditions for regular passenger and ferry services, which was abandoned in August 2004, to be retabled.
Ireland lobbied against this directive, which unlike the convention referred to in yesterday's report could have guaranteed ferry workers' pay and conditions.