Seafarers, dockers and ITF inspectorswill launch the year’s second East Asia maritime action week at major ports in Japan, Korea, Russia and Taiwan from 1 to 5 July.

The week is intended to ensure the welfare and safety of seafarers. With the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC) coming into force on 20 August, participants will be working closely to ensure that seafarers know their rights.

Three East Asia action weeks are scheduled for this year.

ITF Japan coordinator Fusao Ohori said: “Since flags of convenience (FOCs) became popular, tragedies such as collisions and environmental pollution have happened everywhere in the world. The number of FOC ships is still expanding and the ITF endeavours to reduce such catastrophes.”

From the International Transport Workers’ Federation