Improving the control of occupational safety and health of seafarers in the revision of the Port State Control Directive
15.7.2021
Question for written answer E-003613/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Johan Danielsson (S&D)
The COVID-19 pandemic has put seafarers under extreme pressure as their contracts are being extended beyond reasonable limits. It is crucial that the rules governing work and rest hours are followed and that deficiencies in occupational safety and health of seafarers are detected in order to ensure maritime safety. However, the inspections of seafarers’ working and living conditions have been limited due to the various restrictions imposed during the crisis, putting both seafarers and maritime safety at risk.
In light of these safety issues, I am pleased to see that the Port State Control Directive is being revised, as it serves as an important instrument to control the rules established under international law. It is, however, unfortunate that the Commission’s inception impact assessment fails to address numerous deficiencies in the current state of the Directive related to seafarers’ working and living conditions on board.
- 1.How does the Commission intend to ensure proper inspections of seafarers’ occupational safety and health in the revision of the Port State Control Directive?
- 2.Will it finally recognise the human element and how insufficient rest impacts maritime safety in the revision?
- 3.Will it consider the recommendations put forward by the World Maritime University?[1]
- [1] World Maritime University (2020). A culture of adjustment: evaluating the implementation of the current maritime regulatory framework on rest and work hours (EVREST). Available at: https://commons.wmu.se/lib_reports/66/