Maersk Corroborates ITF Agreements On Charters
The Shipping Giant Maersk announced that it will ensure that any vessel it charters has an ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) or similar agreement.
The announcement was made at a meeting of the ITF Maersk network (which is made up of seafarers’ and dockers’ unions with members based on vessels or in ports operated directly or indirectly by the Maersk Group) in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The agreement ensures the protection for crews on flag of convenience ships. The Maersk Group has a total of around 500 ships, both owned or chartered. The company already has collective bargaining agreements covering its directly-owned fleet.
Jacqueline Smith, ITF maritime coordinator, commended that “This is welcome news.” She said, “It shows that Maersk Group is reaching for high standards and behaving in a responsible and praiseworthy manner. This closes a circle that has been kept open by, in some cases, vessel providers who have told Maersk that they have agreements on board when we know they haven’t.”
The meeting witnessed the ITF Maersk network’s commitment to positive engagement with the company. Also, the attendance included the company’s AGM.
Jacqueline Smith concluded: “It’s in everyone’s interests for Maersk and the ITF to have a positive relationship. Millions of the transport workers represented by our unions work for Maersk directly or via subsidiary companies and we are committed to making sure they have decent terms and conditions. As a key industry player we think Maersk wants that too, which is why good faith open dialogue is the only thing that makes sense moving forward.”
Source: ITF
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