Around 400,000 seafarers are not allowed to come ashore because of the CoV travel restrictions and some have been at sea for 17 or more months. The UNO Office for Human Rights condemned this as inhuman today in Geneva. International labor standards allow an uninterrupted stay on board for a maximum of eleven months.
The office appealed to all governments to find solutions. It also called on companies worldwide that deal with ship cargo to exert pressure. This would affect 90 percent of world trade.
Psyche affected
Seafarers on container and other cargo ships, but also on fishing cutters and oil and gas platforms are affected. The mental health of the people is affected, as are the human rights to freedom of movement and the right to a family life. Trade unions had proposed that these seafarers be declared “key workers” for whom less strict travel restrictions apply.
Apart from the stranded seafarers, due to a lack of crew rotation, there are probably also some 400,000 seafarers on land who cannot get to their jobs and therefore cannot earn money.
Hector Pascua witth reports from ORF.at/agencies. Picture: stockilyapp.com
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