Social Dialogue

Social dialogue refers to a structured discussion between the organisations representing workers and employers, known as social partners. The EU supports social exchange at the European level, and the ETF Maritime Transport Section is a recognised social partner for the maritime sector. 

Together with the maritime employers’ organisation, the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA), we sit on the Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee (SSDC) for Maritime Transport. In the SSDC, we try to persuade ECSA that we can and should work together to meet the challenges facing the European maritime sector. In particular, we aim for agreements that ensure a level playing field for European seafarers to safeguard jobs and career development, decent terms and conditions, a high level of knowledge and training, and the enjoyment of social rights and adequate social protection. 

In maritime transport, there are many areas where European trade unions and employers can work together. The sector is facing many challenges. The number of EU seafarers employed on EU-flagged ships has fallen rapidly in recent years, and only a minority of the world’s vessels now sail under EU-country flags. Although 40% of the world fleet is in the hands of European shipowners, fewer than 40% of crew positions on these European vessels are filled by European seafarers! Roles for European seafarers on non-European vessels are rare and subject to lower wages and worse conditions. EU regulation has opened up national markets to competition (the so-called maritime cabotage policy). Globalisation and the use of ‘open registers’ – commonly referred to by unions as Flags of Convenience – confront European norms with the standards of countries that are much less worker-friendly in terms of tax, social legislation, and safety and environmental standards. 

The SSDC is currently focusing on various topics, including:  

• Skills and career development in the shipping sector. 
• We are improving occupational health and safety – especially shipboard living and working conditions, including onboard communication facilities. 
• The reduction of administrative burdens on seafarers and shipowners. 
• The facilitation of transfer, transit and shore leave for seafarers entering the Schengen area. 
• We are tackling the barriers to the recruitment and retention of female workers in the industry, promoting better employment conditions and a gender-friendly workplace. 
• I am developing a project about data collection on maritime professionals. 

The SSDC has delivered progress for European seafarers, such as: 

• Projects to support seafarers in their career planning and development. 
• An SSDC agreement on seafarers’ exclusion led to EU Directive 2015/1794. 
• Joint demands for the EU and its member states to improve the legislation on seafarers’ labour rights. 
• Joint statements on piracy, health and safety, visas, and the role of merchant shipping in the Mediterranean refugee crisis. 
• Guidelines, training materials and an awareness-raising video for harassment and bullying-free workplace in shipping. 

Despite all difficulties seafarers face, shipping is still an advanced industry that provides remarkable career opportunities for skilled individuals willing to work in this environment. The ETF is doing its utmost to improve the working lives of European seafarers and guarantee that they get the recognition, respect and decent conditions they deserve. 

The solutions to the maltreatment of seafarers lie in ensuring that the competitive climate is regulated and operators are encouraged to compete on quality and not on costs. ETF promotes job security for national seafarers and protects the maritime skills base and local knowledge clusters. We do this by advocating for high EU standards and a level playing field for all who want to trade in European waters. We will pursue every possible avenue to ensure the resilience of European shipping and maritime know-how and that quality and fair shipping are rewarded. That is how Europe can champion a race to the top on social, environmental and safety standards to benefit the more than 272000 seafarers we represent.