Supporting seafarer welfare
Updates on the International Labour Organization(ILO)/International Maritime Organization (IMO) work to support seafarers wellbeing were provided to the 17th International Symposium on Maritime Health (ISMH17), hosted by the International Maritime Health Association (IMHA) in Rotterdam, Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The event (11-14 June) brought together medical practitioners, researchers, policymakers, welfare providers, port officials, and representatives from international organizations, to share research findings, practical knowledge and experiences regarding the care of seafarers; and discuss challenges, and explore ways to improve medical assistance for seafarers and fishers on a global scale. Topics included medical fitness standards, mental health, infectious disease and women’s health.
IMO’s Jan de Boer, Senior Legal Officer, provided an overview on the IMO/ILO welfare system of seafarers, including:
- Guidelines on fair treatment of seafarers in the event of a maritime accident
- Guidelines on Liability and Compensation regarding Claims for Personal Injury to or Death of Seafarers
- Guidelines on Provision of Financial Security in case of Abandonment of Seafarers
- Guidelines on how to deal with Seafarer Abandonment cases on abandonment of seafarers.
Besides participants from almost 40 Member States, the Symposium brought together panellists, mediators, and key-note speakers from a range of organizations, including IMO, WHO, ILO, ICS, ITF, ICMA and ISWAN
