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ETF and ECSA call upon Health Ministers to support actions on the national level to ensure crew changes

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For many months now, ETF and ECSA have been repeatedly calling upon the European Commission and Transport and Home Affairs Ministers to implement the IMO protocols to facilitate crew changes and repatriation of seafarers.

Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions in place, many seafarers still have difficulties being replaced and returning home. In some cases, they have been working for months beyond their contractual time at sea and situations onboard are becoming very tense and dangerous due to growing fatigue and frustrations.

Member States need to act now in order to avoid preventable incidents turning into tragedies. ETF and ECSA addressed a letter to Health Ministers today, calling upon them to support collective actions on the national level to ensure crew changes can happen. Time is now!

The joint letter can be found here.

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health and safety
Maritime Transport

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