DAY OF THE SEAFARER 2021 - MESSAGE FROM IMO SECRETARY-GENERAL

Tomorrow, June 25, is the "Day of the Seafarer", for this commemoration, IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim, is calling to support and create a fair future for seafarers.

MESSAGE FROM IMO SECRETARY-GENERAL KITACK LIM
"Seafarers have always been at the heart of world trade. Their work touches the lives of each and every one of us, whether it is the food on our tables, the medicine that keeps us healthy, the computers we are using for work and leisure or the vehicles that transport us in our daily lives. All these items are primarily transported by sea.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic created challenging working conditions including difficulties with port access, repatriation, crew changes and more. Unfortunately, there are still too many seafarers that have not been able to leave ships for an extended period beyond their contracts, and others have been unable to join ships in order to earn a living.

Despite these difficulties, seafarers have gone beyond the call of duty, working tirelessly to keep global trade flowing.

IMO and our partners are doing our part to support seafarers and make sure that they are given the rights and protections of key workers. This includes priority vaccination and ease of travel.

Last year, on the Day of the Seafarer, the IMO asked the world to recognize that Seafarers are Key Workers. Many countries have answered that call; however, the crew change crisis is far from being resolved.

We all must keep seafarers in our hearts and continue to take action that will return seafaring to normal practices for crew changes; so this year we are calling for a Fair Future For Seafarers.

Our 2021 Day of the Seafarers Campaign builds on the progress we have made to support seafarers on pandemic-related challenges. It aims to draw global attention to others areas where fairness is important. This includes a safe, secure environment on ships, reasonable working conditions, fair treatment in all situations, as well as respect for the rights of all regardless of race, gender, and religion.

I am especially pleased that IMO will be amplifying the voices of seafarers themselves as they discuss what a fairer future would look like to them under the hashtag #FairFuture4Seafarers

Seafarers, we are listening – and we will make sure you are heard.

If you are Seafarer, I encourage you to participate in this discussion and share your vision for fair future. And if you are part of the maritime industry or a beneficiary of the services of seafarers, I asked you to listen to their words, show your appreciation, and take action to create a better world for seafarers who do so much for all of us".

Review the Video Message here:

#FairFuture4Seafarers #Seafarers #SeafarersDay #LifeAtSea #SeafarerDay2021 #Maritime #ProudlyMAMLa #OrgullosamenteMAMLa