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Shipbreakers' talks with British government promising
13 October 2006
 |  | | Indian shipbreakers honor the memory of the hundreds who die each year in a largely unregulated industry. | |
Shipbreaking workers from India, who earlier this week told the world of the horrific and often deadly conditions under which they work, have been ensconced in promising discussions with the British government this week.
The workers travelled to the UK capital from India at the beginning of the week, with the assistance of the International Metalworkers' Federation (IMF) and the ITF. They aimed to describe the plight of India's shipbreaking workers, hundreds of whom die each year as a result of the injuries, diseases and environmental degradation caused by a largely unregulated industry.
On Monday, they visited the International Maritime Organization to speed up reform that could save lives across the industry. They also met with Hilary Benn, British Secretary of State for International Development, to call for the UK government to show leadership on the issue. Rob Johnston, IMF Director with responsibility globally for shipbreaking, commented: "We urged Hilary Benn to ensure the IMO delivers on an international instrument that is meaningful to take into account the plight of the Indian shipbreaking workers. We also urged him to use the governments influence in India to ensure that the tragedy does not continue."
Vidyadhar Rane, Secretary of the Mumbai Port Trust, Dock and General Employees' Union and shipbreaking workers union representative added: "The visit enabled us to be heard. Not only did we appeal to the IMO to save the lives of workers, but also our meeting with Hilary Benn was very positive - he will definitely do something."
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