Global transport union federation demands real action on pirates

THE International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) at its recent Berlin meeting, has launched a campaign to demand greater government effort to suppress piracy that threatens the lives of seafarers off Somalia.

ITF delegates plan to build momentum through the summer and deliver a petition containing half a million signatures to governments by World Maritime Day on September 23, reported London's International Freighting Weekly.

"The Time to Beat Piracy" campaign wants governments "to close the circle on protection of ships", and "those states now ducking their responsibilities to stand up and follow the example of those which are actively involved in combating the threat", said the report.

The Berlin meeting also agreed to support, "where appropriate" more armed military personnel on ships, in addition to the commitment by flag states of naval vessels, but remained opposed to arming seafarers.

It also declared that it was "gravely concerned by attempts to prevent the payment of ransoms and considers that it is the duty of the shipowners and flag states to take all necessary measures to swiftly reunite hostages with their families".

The union said it was unforgivable that the major flag-of-convenience states had "done little more to fight piracy than sign pieces of paper".

Said ITF maritime co-ordinator Steve Cotton: "The reality is that seafarers are risking their lives transporting the world's goods through areas that are daily growing more dangerous. That situation is not going to change without dramatic efforts to address the problems of Somalia and its people and grasp the nettle of confronting and prosecuting piracy."

(Source: www.schednet.com)