Deputy Minister of Transport, Ms Sindisiwe Chikunga at a Workshop on Fair Treatment of Seafarers held at the IMO Headquarters in London on Friday, 23 June 2017
Fair Treatment of Seafarers – A South African Perspective
Introduction
Today, Chairperson we gather again under the umbrella of the United Nations as representatives of governments, international non-governmental organisations, the International Labour Organisation and other labour related organs, elements of civil society and business to share this beautifully auspicious day with Seafarers.
To a great extent we are gathered here not because we bemoan an unenviable plight the world seafarer wrestles, but to share with them their memorable experiences of the wide open oceans they traverse, the people they meet, the languages they have learned and the giving stranger they each may have met.
They carry the sea on the soles of their shoes and they deliver its fortunes at our doorsteps, fresh, unbroken, whole and alive, yet hardly do we notice, they were there.
They ride the surfs of salmon and many a delicacy of nourishment, singing work songs, little tunes that remind them of their native foods, their families and friends, their streets and the seasonal breezes scented with merriment of children playing in their backyards. The seafarer sings the songs of her streets.
They ride the waves laughing and jesting among themselves, their spirit afloat the waters that are as much a traveller as crew, captain and vessel.
Ladies and gentlemen, though I stand shoulder to shoulder with the seafarer today under these conditions of mutual respect, I remain in great awe and respect for the work they do. In fact we should all be green with envy at the beauty of their work, the life experiences they gather as they each set foot on one foreign land and another.
They represent the universal woman and man, for they belong to the world. It is especially that quality in their nature that we must continue to nurture, protect and promote, because they are part of the human species that really serves the world far and wide, many a time with the efficiency of clockwork.
The Republic of South Africa would like to invite the distinguished representatives to this workshop to note that without seafarers, world economy and trade is non-existent. Seafarers are the pillars of global trade and the world economy, and dare we say our modern lives depend on seafarers.
Yet the seafarer is made master of the saddest blues, singing melodies of the caged bird, because in her world there seems to be no roses, the colourful memories of the world of his home are thrown overboard and dreams of a new life dashed.
At times, although she sees with travel all the beauties of creation all around her, she just would not sing the melodies of joyful escapades offered by life at sea, or even imagine the beautiful colours of fauna ahead of her wishful gaze, because hanging on her neck are the troubles of her employ and troubles of her wishes – so she dares not wish to be off the vessel lest retribution and suffering befall her.
This breed of women and men unfortunately faces challenges of unpredictable, and many a time unjust jailing in foreign lands with at times little recourse to fair treatment or fair trial, discouraging even the potentially adventurers from signing up for seafaring.
The future existence of the workforce in this very building depends on growing the interest for new recruits that would swell the numbers of new seafarers entering this profession.
It is certainly unfortunate that the actions of some coastal/port states authorities (including prosecutors) when there’s been a maritime incident leave seafarers fearing for their lives and those watching being discouraged from finding themselves in the same position.
The mostly unfair criminalisation of seafarers, the inhumane living and working conditions many suffer, the lack of universally accepted laws to govern immigration and the tendency for seafarers to be abandoned in foreign ports must be become a thing of the past. Young and aspiring seafarers must not feel discouraged by the perception of bad treatment of seafarers.
Changing this perception requires the political will of the implicated jurisdictions. The shipping costs that we pay must in greater proportion go to the well-being of seafarers as demonstration that we care.
In some situations there is also a perception of the inadequate legal instruments available to help seafarers. However with the help of the United Nations and specifically the ILO, a variety of International Conventions and Instruments are used to provide fair treatment of seafarers and thus add some protection in the hands of the criminalised seafarer.
It is upon us as governments to ensure protection of basic human rights of seafarers and that the various legal instruments available are strengthened and universalised to apply equally across the different shores touched by these women and men.
The Republic of South Africa thus wishes that some of the guidelines produced by the IMO, ITF, ILO, etc. will find their way into international binding agreements. We this conviction, we also encourage all member states represented here to incorporate fair treatment of seafarers in their maritime casualty response.
South Africa, through the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) has continued to prioritise the safety and well-being of seafarers at every incident and maritime casualty investigations. This has led to greater cooperation with affected seafarers and often resulted in a high success rate for salvage and wreck removal incident as seafarers are able to give us practical information about the ship.
In conclusion therefore, let me iterate that seafarers are human beings and they deserve like you and me to be treated humanly for they make us better human beings for the good they offer in sustenance of humanity
Thank you.
