***MPHRP responds to prize honour
Commenting on last night’s Seatrade Award to the Maritime Piracy Humanitarian Response Programme (MPHRP) for ‘Support and assistance to seafarers and their families affected by maritime piracy’, MPHRP chair Peter Swift said:
“We are most grateful for this recognition of the Programme’s work supporting seafarers and their families before, during and after incidents of piracy and armed robbery.
“The award recognises the exceptional dedication and commitment of the MPHRP team members, the tremendous support provided by the Programme’s partners, and the very generous financial assistance of the ITF Seafarers’ Trust, the TK Foundation and Seafarers UK.
Swift continued: “The award also recognises the hardship and suffering of many seafarers and their loved ones who are affected by piracy, for some of whom the MPHRP is often the only provider of support and assistance.
He concluded: “Today we also remember the nearly 50 seafarers and fishers still held hostage in Somalia, all of whom have been held for more than two years – some for several years – and encourage everyone who can do so to tirelessly work for their prompt release and to support and assist them and their families.”
***ITF signs memorandum of understanding with All China Federation of Trade Unions
The ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the ACFTU, the All China Federation of Trade Unions, that commits both organisations to a process of dialogue and information sharing.
The MOU was signed in Beijing by ITF acting general secretary Steve Cotton and ACFTU vice-president Jiang Guangping, who is also a titular member of the Governing Body of the International Labour Organization. It identifies multiple areas of possible co-operation and institutes biannual meetings to check on progress.
ITF president Paddy Crumlin commented: “The signing is an important and historical further step forward. It is indicative of the continuing consolidation of the network of effective and influential trade unions worldwide in providing realistic, attainable and strategic support for workers in the essential international transport industry.”
ITF acting general secretary Steve Cotton explained: “There are many areas where the interests of our organisations overlap, such as the enforcement of the Maritime Labour Convention and the promotion of decent work for seafarers, as well as in the ports, rail, urban transport and aviation sectors, and the rights of women transport workers.”
The MOU seeks, without prejudice to the policies established by the parties to:
· Maintaining harmonious relations;
· Develop mutual understanding and co-operation;
· Ensure mutual respect and recognition of the role of both parties;
· Provide for the exchange of information;
· Provide for technical co-operation;
· Designate the main contact people;
· Provide for future meetings;
· Identify areas of mutual interest;
· Identify areas for cross sectional co-operation;
· Develop international solidarity;
· Establish an exchange programme mechanism;
· Promotion of ILO/IMO/UN ECE code of practice on the safe transportation of container cargo, and
· Agrees that the MOU should be complimented by the future adoption of sectional memoranda of agreement.
· Maintaining harmonious relations;
· Develop mutual understanding and co-operation;
· Ensure mutual respect and recognition of the role of both parties;
· Provide for the exchange of information;
· Provide for technical co-operation;
· Designate the main contact people;
· Provide for future meetings;
· Identify areas of mutual interest;
· Identify areas for cross sectional co-operation;
· Develop international solidarity;
· Establish an exchange programme mechanism;
· Promotion of ILO/IMO/UN ECE code of practice on the safe transportation of container cargo, and
· Agrees that the MOU should be complimented by the future adoption of sectional memoranda of agreement.