THE next stage of a campaign to protect the rights of seafarers was announced at the blessing and dedication of new facilities at Wynnum’s Stella Maris Seafarers Centre.
The expansion, valued in excess of $25,000, will mean the Brisbane bayside centre can provide a range of services including computer communications to more than 100 seafarers.
The new facilities, funded through a three-way partnership between the national office of the Apostleship of the Sea (AOS), Wynnum’s Guardian Angels’ parish and Centacare’s Pastoral Ministries, more than double the centre’s previous capacity.
Among those attending the March 16 event were representatives of the Maritime Union of Australia, Queensland Rail Freight, Australian Customs Service, shipping agents, port security staff and Wynnum parishioners.
Brisbane-based AOS regional and national director Ted Richardson told those gathered at the March 16 event that Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard was among those being targeted in the campaign to ratify an international bill protecting seafarers’ rights.
Ms Gillard has responsibility for considering Australia’s ratification of what the United Nations is calling the Seafarers’ Bill of Rights.
AOS, as part of the campaign, will also be sending more than 40,000 copies of a letter in support of ratifying the bill of rights to Catholic parishes around Australia soon after Easter.
“The UN has accepted the bill and now ratification by at least 30 of the countries belonging to the UN’s International Labour Organisation agency is needed to ensure it becomes law,” Mr Richardson said.
“Five countries – Bahamas, Libya, Marshall Islands, Norway and Panama – have ratified the bill so far.
“However, it’s crucial that Australia as a first world country ratifies the bill.
“By doing so we can also give leadership to other countries such as the United States and New Zealand.”
Mr Richardson told The Catholic Leader the “signs were promising for a positive outcome to the campaign”.
“The Australian Maritime Safety Authority is firmly behind the initiative and in fact has said that the bill must go through,” he said.
“The Australian Catholic Bishops Commission (ACBC) has also organised a lobbyist to take the case to the Government.
“We believe the Australian Government is starting to take the issue seriously.”
If the bill was not ratified in time, Mr Richardson said “the whole playing field will be left open to abuse by the shipping companies”.
“Time periods for all existing conventions have expired and so are seen as no longer relevant,” he said.
“So these very vulnerable workers no longer have any protection under the law.
“This makes Australia’s ratification of the bill even more essential.
“Only several more years remain before the 10-year window to pass the new bill expires, then it’s back to scratch.”
There are an estimated 1.2 million seafarers around the world.
Filipinos, about 30 per cent of the total, make up the largest national grouping, and many of these are Catholics.
Mr Richardson said the bill would ensure conditions taken for granted by workers in other industries would become enforceable by law.
“These include a minimum age for seafarers, regulated ship watch hours, right to negotiate a fair wage, adequate food, medical examinations, certification of competency, safety regulations and annual leave,” he said.
