Logistics - Maritime labour

Context

With 90% of goods transported by sea and 1.9m workers in the industry, companies rely on seafarers to keep their supply chains moving. As human rights due diligence (HRDD) laws expand in scope and reach, many companies are at risk of falling behind on their responsibilities.  Despite the critical role they play worldwide, seafarers routinely face exploitation, from excessive working hours to unpaid wages and debt bondage.

Recruitment fees: The recruitment fees charged by manning agencies to seafarers are often excessive, and they must repay the fees over time. Due to the garnishment of their wages, they can be trapped in a cycle of debt.

Contractual deception: There is a possibility that seafarers may be enticed into signing contracts with different terms than what was promised. Their commitment is already made when they discover they owe more than expected, so they cannot avoid working under unfavourable conditions.

Withheld wages: Employers or agencies might withhold a portion of the seafarers' wages until the debt is paid off, leaving them with insufficient money to support themselves and their families.

Long shifts without breaks: Without adequate breaks, seafarers can end up exhausted and at an increased risk of accidents due to working extremely long hours, often exceeding their legal limits.

Violation of rest periods: Seafarers are frequently called back to work during their rest periods, which jeopardises their safety and well-being. Maritime labour laws often stipulate rest periods between shifts, but these regulations are frequently ignored.

Illegal wage deductions: Unexpectedly, employers may deduct equipment, food, or accommodation costs from seafarers' wages.

The impact of Covid-19 in 2020 saw seafarers become the pandemic’s invisible victims, with 400,000 seafarers trapped at sea.  The crisis exacerbated existing exploitative practices and placed a necessary spotlight on human rights abuses in the sector. 

In June 2020, the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) in conjunction with Office of the United Nations High Commission, United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) developed guidance and a checklist on how to identify and address this crisis through human rights due diligence (HRDD).

How ETI supports business to navigate HRDD at Sea

ETI has been collaborating with ITF on logistics and maritime labour for the last four years. Together, we work to ensure companies are taking steps to respect and protect workers’ rights at sea.

In June 2020, ETI released a statement on the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) protocols for treatment of seafarers during the Covid-19 pandemic. With the support of the ITF, we established an Expert Support Network for company members committed to applying ITF's HRDD processes in their logistics supply chains.

In 2020 This network enabled ETI company members to gain a better understanding of Covid 19’s impact on logistics and initial steps they could take to map their supply chains and open dialogue with logistics providers applying the Maritime Protocols in response to the crisis. ETI advised members to urge Governments to open borders so that crew changes could take place and to consider seafarers as ‘key workers. Members rose to the challenge of devising t a way to apply established HRDD processes to this hidden, yet critical part of the supply chain.

Following collective advocacy by trade unions and companies to the ILO and International Maritime Organisation, an HRDD toolkit by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the UN Global Compact (UNGC), the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). ETI members played a significant role in this  of activity and many have now taken steps to map and assess risk in this unknown and previously hidden part of their supply chains. 

Representing seafarers worldwide

The ITF represents nearly 20 million transport workers in 150 countries worldwide. [CC8] The international trade union has established a Seafarers Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) Unit which aims to support companies with bespoke and confidential HRDD health checks on their shipping supply chains. 

In 2023 ITF launched new guidance which sets out four steps brands can take to cooperate with the ITF on HRDD.

• An introductory meeting to set out worker centred HRDD approaches in transport and logistics supply chains. 
• A confidential ITF Rights Check to identify risks and human rights abuses of seafarers on ships carrying cargo. 
• A dialogue with the ITF on risks and mitigation. 
• An ITF cooperation agreement to work together to prevent and remedy human rights abuses.

ETI continues to support company members to adopt an HRDD approach in their approach to human rights and to ensure logistics and seafarers are considered in this work.  Our own HRDD framework sets out the steps in alignment with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

We are also engaging more broadly with the maritime sector, talking to companies operating in those supply chains and looking to increase our engagement and membership within the sector.

The importance of transport companies joining ETI

Joining the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) is crucial for transport companies aiming to enhance respect for human rights within their supply chains. As a member of ETI, transport companies not only demonstrate their commitment to upholding international human rights standards but also position themselves as preferred partners in the eyes of ETI corporate members. These members are progressively seeking suppliers who not only meet but exceed ethical expectations. Membership in ETI serves as a hallmark of compliance and good practice, making transport companies attractive to businesses that prioritise responsible sourcing.

Enhance your maritime standards and approach to human rights ethics:
Contact our team at ETI if you would like to understand more about ETI membership and how we can help you identify the human rights risks, how to develop an action plan to mitigate and remediate those risks and collaborate with across our membership. 

Contact:  Imran Serugo membership@eti.org.uk