Addressing Work/Rest Regulations in the Maritime Industry
Recent extensive research has revealed that seafarers continue to face demanding work schedules that often extend beyond reasonable limits. In response, the United Nations’ International Labour Organization (ILO) plans to refine the language concerning work and rest regulations at sea during the Special Tripartite Committee of the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) set to convene in Geneva this April. This initiative underscores the ILO’s commitment to enhancing the working conditions for maritime professionals.
The ILO’s renewed focus on work/rest hours follows the release of a comprehensive 64-page report by the World Maritime University (WMU), another UN institution. The WMU conducted a survey in 2022 that garnered over 9,000 responses from seafarers worldwide, shedding light on the pressing issues surrounding maritime labor.
Survey Findings Highlight Work-Life Imbalances
The survey results indicate that seafarers are working an average of 11.5 hours per day, with rest periods averaging only 10.8 hours and sleep averaging a mere 7.0 hours. Alarmingly, 28.1% of respondents reported resting for less than the recommended 10 hours, thus breaching established rest hour standards. This situation not only jeopardizes the wellbeing of seafarers but also raises concerns about safety at sea.
Moreover, the data reveals that seafarers are working an average of 74.9 hours per week. This figure starkly contrasts with the global average of 43 hours per week identified in the ILO’s 2018 general survey, highlighting a significant discrepancy in expectations and reality for maritime workers.
Challenges in Compliance and Reporting
Further insights from the WMU survey show that 78.3% of respondents reported not having a single full day off during their entire contract period, which contradicts the intentions of the Maritime Labour Convention. Additionally, 88.3% admitted to exceeding work/rest hour limits at least once a month, with 16.5% exceeding these limits more than ten times monthly. Strikingly, only 31.6% of seafarers claimed to never adjust their work/rest records, indicating a troubling culture of non-compliance and underreporting within the industry.
The report asserts that high compliance rates reported by port state control often obscure the reality of seafarers’ experiences, creating what the authors describe as a “false narrative at policy levels.” This situation is exacerbated by a regulatory framework that lacks rigor, enabling flag states to compete by issuing manning certificates with minimal oversight, thereby relying on shipowners and managers to self-regulate.
Proposed Solutions and Innovations
One of the potential solutions being discussed is the establishment of a protected website for each vessel, managed by the flag state, where seafarers can log their hours confidentially. This measure aims to provide a safe platform for transparency in reporting work hours, thereby fostering a culture of accountability and compliance within the industry.
Despite ongoing discussions about automation and its potential to reduce crewing requirements at sea, the WMU survey revealed that 87.6% of respondents believe there is a significant imbalance between work demands and existing crew levels. This discrepancy underscores the importance of addressing crew well-being in the context of increasing operational pressures.
Regulatory Framework and Safety Concerns
International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations, including the MLC and the Seafarers’ Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping Code (STCW), dictate the permissible working hours for crew members. These guidelines specify that the maximum working hours should not exceed 14 hours within any 24-hour period and 72 hours over a seven-day span. Conversely, the minimum required hours of rest should not fall below 10 hours in a 24-hour period and 77 hours weekly.
However, reconciling the need for crew well-being with excessive operational demands appears increasingly challenging. Steven Jones, founder of the Seafarers Happiness Index, articulated this dilemma in a recent article for Splash, stating, “Crews face overwhelming demands while grappling with chronic underreporting of work hours, and the threat of punishment for infractions.” He highlighted the difficult position seafarers find themselves in: choosing between honesty about their overwork, which could lead to punitive measures, or dishonesty that might allow them to evade consequences. This dynamic fosters an environment where effective and transparent recording of work hours is disincentivized.
Broader Issues on the Agenda
In addition to work/rest hours, the upcoming MLC summit in Geneva will address a range of other critical issues, including violence and harassment, repatriation, and shore leave. These discussions are essential in shaping a more equitable and humane working environment for seafarers worldwide.
