Page 142 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - ΜΑΙΟΣ 2024

SEAFARERS' REPRESENTATION

and messages only after it was over. Maritime Seafarers are often praised for their resil-
key workers deserve better. Our union mem- ience, but when it is tested too often and
bers feel that their work was not adequately for too long, mental health issues arise. The
recognised in practice and that the pandemic deterioration of mental well-being can lead to
accelerated the industry’s existing problems, burnout and, consequently, a desire to seek
with some employers taking advantage of the alternative careers offering better work-life
prevailing uncertainty. balance.
We believe that the maritime industry is at a Unfortunately, seafarers continue to face
crossroads. Most unresolved issues predating numerous risks associated with their profes-
the pandemic continue today and still cause sion. Instances of piracy and accidents at sea
great concern for the future. The pandemic pose genuine concerns for their well-being.
has exposed a systemic failure in the regu- Fear for personal safety, coupled with a lack
lation of shipping that must be addressed to of proper support systems, can influence their
avoid similar disruptive events in the future. decision to give up the seafaring profession.
As for the issue of fatigue at sea, it is worth The post-pandemic war in Ukraine exacer-
mentioning that working beyond 48 hours per bated the crew change crisis and increased
week has proven to have detrimental effects the risks for seafarers working onboard ships
on workers’ safety, health, and work-fam- sailing in the Black Sea. At present, we are
ily relationships. However, under the cur- witnessing the Red Sea crisis together with
rent legislative standards, seafarers are still a closely related increase in opportunistic
legally allowed to work for 14 hours during any attacks by Somali pirates. This feeling of
24-hour period or 72 hours in any seven-day sailing into the unknown can lead to anxi-
period. ety and exhaustion even amongst the most
The realities of Moreover, despite the incredibly long hours experienced seafarers, further impacting their
seafaring must be still permitted by international regulations, already deteriorating mental health and the
improved to make it the recording of rest hours is becoming a quality of their lives on board.
easier to convince mere ‘paper exercise', with seafarers regu-
young people to larly required to work beyond the maximum ❺ During the previous months, the
embark on seafaring limits. The adjustment of rest and work hours ETF campaigned for the introduc
careers and tackle records, along with the systematic verification tion of a Manifesto for “A New Deal
the challenges of these records to ensure their accuracy, is a for Fair Transport". What has been
of recruiting and pressing need. the reaction of the European com-
retaining skilled munity towards your efforts ahead
personnel. ❹ In recent years, many industries of the 2024 European Elections?
have increasingly begun to consider Leading up to the EU elections in June, we are
the mental health of employees. In organising a series of interventions, events,
your experience, has the European panel debates, webinars, and workplace visits.
shipping industry taken any active Our goal is to offer politicians, union mem-
steps towards promoting mental bers, and transport workers the opportunity to
health support and combating bul- discuss and brainstorm solutions to pressing
lying and harassment in the ship- issues. Additionally, we aim to give politicians
ping industry? an inside view of the daily operations and
Today, seafarers face intense pressure and challenges of seafarers and to allow transport
grapple daily with issues that have a massive workers to interact directly with politicians.
impact on their mental and physical health We are being well-received by political groups
and quality of life onboard a ship. Seafarers at the EU Parliament and national political
are among the occupational groups with the parties that are now starting their campaign
highest stress risk. During the pandemic, efforts for the EU elections. We are calling on
many seafarers’ calls to helplines were about candidates, political parties, and citizens to
burnout and suicide attempts. join us in making transport workers a central
The shipping industry’s social partners did focus of EU policies. We are not merely advo-
a lot of work through joint projects, such as cating for change; we are actively engaging
WESS and Skillsea, as well as joint initia- with policymakers, candidates, and the public
tives. Nevertheless, the existence of some to ensure our voices are heard and to bring
best practices and recommendations is transport and its workers to the forefront of
not enough. We need binding legislation to the debate not only during the elections but
address those issues. for the years to come.

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