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Seafarers’ problems get recognition at bargaining forum
23 July 2008
A forum involving international maritime employers and unions put the problems facing seafarers under the spotlight at a two-day meeting in Hong Kong last week.
The International Bargaining Forum (IBF), established to reach agreement on seafarers’ pay and conditions, met in Hong Kong on 16 and 17 July. There they discussed a range of issues affecting seafarers including the criteria for designating war-like operations areas, for which crewmembers are provided with bonus payments. They also covered issues such as those outstanding from the last round of pay negotiations at the IBF last September and rules covering the disbursement of funds to promote the employment of ratings from developed economy countries.
The ITF spokesperson at the meeting, Brian Orrell, said: “This was a very successful meeting at which we dealt with issues that will have a major impact for the seafarers that are covered by IBF crew contracts. We have asked the employers to create a mechanism that will identify the high risk areas for maritime transport more effectively and in these and other areas, we have received positive recognition that the problems of seafarers are understood and will be responded to within the IBF system that we have helped to create.”
Negotiations are set to continue in November.
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