Seafarers’ lives are being put at risk by the substandard ships in use on the Black Sea – that’s the key message of a new film produced by Turkish seafarers’ union the Marine Employees Solidarity Association (DAD-DER). The film, which is available in English, Turkish and Russian, highlights the experiences of seafarers in the region.
A 2012 report uncovered poor standards of living and working conditions, low wages and unseaworthy vessels. A subsequent 2014 report found these issues to be unresolved. Captain Ural Cagirici from DAD-DER said: “We want to promote this film and its core message to transport workers worldwide, but also to a wider audience beyond the trade union movement. The fact that seafarers are risking their lives to make a living isn’t just a trade union issue, it’s a human rights issue too. At the moment seafarers in this region aren’t getting the protection they need and that’s something we want to change.”
ITF, the global transport unions’ federation, is working with unions in the region to try and improve the situation for seafarers. Its Black Sea Project is focused on three main areas; education, primarily through action weeks; ratification of the Maritime Labour Convention by Black Sea states; and organising the region’s seafarers.