The one-day workshops in Yangon from 27-29 July revolved around sessions on the basic rights contained in the MLC and how to enforce them, and the role of the ITF's network of inspectors and contacts. The workshops were an ITF pilot, and the federation hopes to run more soon in other labour-supply countries.
IFOMS general secretary Aung Kyaw Linn said: “This training is extremely important.
“For decades our seafarers have been victimised and exploited by crooked crewing agents and by a system that blacklisted and punished seafarers for standing up for their basic rights. We aimed to enable the ITF to hear first-hand about the abuses seafarers face, which are clearly in violation of the MLC, so that we can work tirelessly together to end them.”
One seminar participant, who cannot be named for fear of victimisation, commented that if enough seafarers got together with IFOMS and the ITF, they could bring an end to the abuses.
The ITF also launched its new peer educator training in HIV, health and wellbeing in Myanmar. Thirteen IFOMS members and four of their spouses were trained on 3-4 August so that they can pass on their newly-acquired knowledge to their fellow seafarers on board ship and within their communities.
The ITF’s HIV training programme was extended following a survey of seafarers in 2014, which identified the need for training to address issues such as depression on board ship, nutrition and overweight.
IFOMS was established in 2014 and held its inaugural congress in April 2015.
