First of staggered South Asia action weeks a success

First of staggered South Asia action weeks a success

http://www.itfglobal.org/news-online/index.cfm/newsdetail/6477

30/09/2011

Action took place at several GNT ports in India. 

The first in a series of staggered ITF Flag of Convenience (FOC) action weeks across Indian and Sri Lankan ports, including many global network terminals (GNTs), is coming to a close. A similar action week was undertaken this week in ports in Japan, Korea and Taiwan

FOC union activists and ITF inspectors have joined together during the week to draw attention to the FOC campaign, which aims to protect the rights of seafarers on board FOC vessels. An FOC ship is one that flies the flag of a country other than the one of its ownership or control in order to secure cheap registration fees and low taxes. There has also been a drive to raise awareness about the dockers’ section ports of convenience (POC) work programme, which is focused on raising standards around health and safety and working conditions. The GNT campaign operates within this programme and centres on getting industry leading global operators to set acceptable standards on health and safety.



In India, activities during the action week have included port visits to ICTT (DPW) terminal in Cochin, the PSA-Sical terminal in Tuticorin and the CCTL-DPW terminal in Chennai. A total of six vessels were inspected in GNT ports during the week. Information leaflets were also distributed and campaign stickers put up at locations around the ports.



In addition there has been a high level of interaction with workers during the port visits.



Assistant regional secretary for the Asia Pacific region Sangam Tripathy said: “This has been a great opportunity to emphasise the need for solidarity between dockers and seafarers. Union activists have met with GNT workers this week and explained to them about the ITF FOC campaign and the newer POC work programme which aims to build and strengthen dockers unions in the GNT ports and raise work and wage standards.”



Similar activities will follow in November in Kolkata, Haldia, Paradip and Vizag and in December in Mumbai, Kandla, JNPT and New Mangalore.