Press Release – South Asian trade unions assert their rights
In Chittagong, Bangladesh, on the International Labour Day of 1 May, the Platform member organisation YPSA brought together shipbreaking workers for a demonstration to claim their right for a healthy and safe workplace.
OSHE, another Platform member, and YPSA also organised demonstrations on the World Day for Health at Work, on 28 April. Concerns related to especially the vulnerability of young workers in hazardous occupations such as shipbreaking were raised, and the call for safe working conditions was joined by prominent trade union representatives.
These events have taken place at a time when the shipbreaking industry has seen a high number of accidents occurring in the yards in the first quarter of this year, with already 10 workers who have lost their lives.
In Pakistan, the National Trade Union Federation (NTUF), member of IndustriAll, has been officially recognised as a trade union in the re-rolling mills. The mills in Gadani receive the scrap metal that originates from, amongst other, the shipbreaking activities and employ about 15,000 workers. Whilst NTUF has faced difficulties in being recognised as a trade union at the shipbreaking yards in Gadani, its acceptance as a collective bargaining association at the re-rolling mills will greatly benefit the workers who do not have a written contract and work in precarious conditions.
“Official recognition of the re-rolling mill workers’ union is an important achievement and will pave the way for the union being able to improve working conditions, health and safety, social security and wages”, said Nasir Mansoor from NTUF.
Related news
Platform News – Global ban on exporting hazardous waste to developing countries becomes law
The Basel Ban Amendment, adopted by the Parties to the Basel Convention in 1995, became international law on December 5.
... Read MorePress Release – Worst corporate dumpers asked to clean up their acts
Targeting sustainability and fleet managers, the NGO Shipbreaking Platform calls for the adoption of responsible ship recycling policies in letters sent to shipping companies standing out for… Read More
Platform News – NGOs distribute emergency food to shipbreaking workers in Bangladesh
Thanks to the financial support received via donations, we managed to distribute food and personal protective equipment items to 130 shipbreaking workers’ families.
... Read MorePlatform publishes South Asia Quarterly Update #32
Eight workers suffered an accident on South Asian beaches in the last quarter of 2022.
... Read MorePlatform News – Legambiente joins Platform’s campaign for sustainable ship recycling
The NGO Shipbreaking Platform welcomes onboard Legambiente, its first-ever Italian member organization. Legambiente is a non-profit association created in 1980 for the safeguard of the environment… Read More
Platform News – Shipping industry presses to undermine European Ship Recycling Regulation
On Monday, the EU member states’ experts on ship recycling met in Brussels to discuss the latest developments, six months ahead of the application of the 2013… Read More