Union Survey Reveals Racism and Abuse at Sea

Seafarers in the world's merchant navy are low paid, work long hours and face the persistent risk of accident and injury

A significant proportion also work in a mixture of languages, experience racial and even physical abuse and can be prevented from joining trade unions, according to the largest ever survey of seafarers' working conditions.

Commissioned by the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) and conducted by MORI, the survey questioned more than 6,500 seafarers in 93 countries.

Seafarers in the world's merchant navy are low paid, work long hours and face the persistent risk of accident and injury.

A significant proportion also work in mixture of languages, experience racial and even physical abuse and can be prevented from joining trade unions, according to the largest-ever survey of seafarers working conditions.

Commissioned by the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) and conducted by MORI, the international polling organisation, the survey questioned more than 6,500 seafarers in 93 countries.

"The survey reveals that while the average salary of all categories is US$1,457, over 70 per cent of all ratings are earning less than the ITF benchmark of US$1,200.00" comments Mark Dickinson, assistant general secretary of the ITF.

Seafarers on flag of convenience vessels (FOC) made up 44 per cent of those taking part in the survey approximately the same proportion as gross tonnage of the world fleet. The wages of the lowest paid often had to support more than five family members.

Poor working conditions were not confined to FOC fleets and the Russian, Romanian and Ukrainian flags came at the bottom of league table in areas such as, for example, long hours, low pay and unsafe working practices. The link between the number of hours worked and the level of accidents witnessed on board was apparent from the survey and there was a correlation between long hours and both high levels of stress and poor morale.

"The worst type of competition is taking place at the bottom of the shipping market," says Mark Dickinson. "Owners seem to be fighting to see who can pay the least, work the longest hours and provide the most meagre conditions.

"Everybody suffers by this attitude, not least those owners who are determined to uphold decent standards for the safe and efficient running of their vessels by a well-trained and fairly-rewarded crew."

The ITF's network of inspectors is to monitor those ships and owners with the worst records. Particular attention will given to those abusing flags of convenience in the 50th anniversary year of the ITF's campaign against FOCs.

Seafarers' Living Conditions Survey. Research conducted for the ITF. Questionnaires returned by 6,504 individuals. MORI is satisfied that the number of replies makes the survey statistically valid. Field work took place in April-May 1996 in ports in 93 countries. Further details of the survey are available from the ITF at the address below

The Global Mariner, the ITF's own campaign ship will be starting a worldwide tour to highlight 50 years of the campaign against flags of convenience. Make sure you receive full details of the journey and the campaign by contacting us.