More States join IMO call to designate seafarers as key workers

 ....that now trying to designate seafarers as key workers is very embarasing.

Its also hypocritic for all those big mouths that were "supporting" seafarers all these years.

The most embarasing is for all those crooks called syndicalists who are living on the back of the seafarers and offer nothing. Where is this famous ITF? 

Not present of course, because has nothing to win... Shame on you

As for IMO, they all feel good in their nice offices, dreaming for seafarer's better days....  

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL,  

Its a true wish but also hypocritic, knowing that seafarers are not or cannot be in the mood of the coming holidays.

+++

in International Shipping News 16/12/2020

Forty-five IMO Member States and one Associate Member* have now designated seafarers as key workers, which is a key step in resolving the ongoing crew change crisis. In a circular letter (4204/add.35) issued on 14 December, IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim calls on Member States that have not yet done so to take action as a matter of urgency.

Key worker designation for seafarers is essential to exempt these professionals from specific COVID-related travel restrictions, allowing them to travel between their country of residence and ships, and to be repatriated at the end of their contracts. This is critical to resolve the crew change crisis, which currently leaves hundreds of thousands of seafarers trapped at sea or stuck at home and unable to join ships. It could even play a key role in granting them priority access to safe vaccination.

The plight of stranded seafarers is highlighted in an IMO video featuring seafarers who describe the challenges they have faced due to the pandemic, and the impacts of the ongoing crew change crisis on their physical and mental health.

Resolutions urging Governments to designate seafarers as key workers have been adopted by IMO, the United Nations General Assembly and the International Labour Organization (ILO).

*Member States: Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Cyprus, Denmark, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Kiribati, Liberia, Marshall Islands, Moldova, Montenegro, Myanmar, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Panama, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Yemen.
Source: IMO