14/03/2007: In her speech at the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou, EPP-ED Group spokeswoman on the Mary Lou McDonald report, said: "By consenting to the proposal for a Council decision on authorising Member States to ratify, in the interests of the European Community, the 2006 Consolidated Maritime Labour Convention of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the European Parliament recognises how important it is to protect seafarers within the framework of globalisation so as to deter the phenomena of exploitation. The ratification of the ILO Convention ensures that the Community system for coordinating social security systems has been maintained."
She reiterated that with the above ratification, Member States will mainly reinforce the international labour standards as these target decent working conditions globally. "It is necessary to support maritime security so as the maritime profession becomes more attractive to young Europeans and thus cover the shortage of 17,000 Community seafarers, with particular reference to posts of Deck and Machine Officers. It is also important to carry out maritime training and a pan-European campaign for professional orientation towards maritime professions.
Mrs Panayotopoulos emphasised that current technological progress permits the direct communication of the seafarers with their families on a daily basis and contributes to attaining safe working conditions.
A campaign which draws attention to the maritime profession should include prospects for employment of retired seafarers in mainland activities (for example, maritime companies, other paramaritime activities etc) or alternative occupations (sea-land and the opposite). Mrs Panayotopoulos underlined that the maritime recruitment agencies should be supported in order to better manage the available labour force.
It is particularly encouraging that a social dialogue has started at a European level which is expected to conclude in an agreement. The correct implementation of the International Convention of ILO shall be assured by a monitoring Commission which will have a tripartite character based on the participation of seafarers, ship owners and state representatives.
In her concluding remarks, the Greek MEP stated: "The European Commission shall be particularly careful in the compliance of its suggestions to the International Maritime Law".
She reiterated that with the above ratification, Member States will mainly reinforce the international labour standards as these target decent working conditions globally. "It is necessary to support maritime security so as the maritime profession becomes more attractive to young Europeans and thus cover the shortage of 17,000 Community seafarers, with particular reference to posts of Deck and Machine Officers. It is also important to carry out maritime training and a pan-European campaign for professional orientation towards maritime professions.
Mrs Panayotopoulos emphasised that current technological progress permits the direct communication of the seafarers with their families on a daily basis and contributes to attaining safe working conditions.
A campaign which draws attention to the maritime profession should include prospects for employment of retired seafarers in mainland activities (for example, maritime companies, other paramaritime activities etc) or alternative occupations (sea-land and the opposite). Mrs Panayotopoulos underlined that the maritime recruitment agencies should be supported in order to better manage the available labour force.
It is particularly encouraging that a social dialogue has started at a European level which is expected to conclude in an agreement. The correct implementation of the International Convention of ILO shall be assured by a monitoring Commission which will have a tripartite character based on the participation of seafarers, ship owners and state representatives.
In her concluding remarks, the Greek MEP stated: "The European Commission shall be particularly careful in the compliance of its suggestions to the International Maritime Law".
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