The ITF (International Transport Workers' Federation) is now recommending the carrying of military guards on ships, and is recognizing the use of private armed guards, subject to certain conditions. However, it reaffirmed its position that seafarers should never be armed.
On Friday, the global union federation said it is moving closer to having to advise seafarers to consider avoiding working in all piracy affected areas - including the Indian Ocean.
The ITF, whose membership includes 201 maritime trade unions representing 720,000 seafarers worldwide, took the step after a week-long consultation sparked by the increasing number and range of Somali pirate attacks, and by their now routine use of extreme violence and death threats against the 800 mariners they are currently holding hostage.
The ITF also endorsed the need to neutralize the threat of the captured, hostage-crewed motherships that are allowing pirates to roam the Indian Ocean unmolested.There are currently over 800 seafarers being held hostage by Somali pirates.
1 comment:
the fact is, Nautilus Int'l and UK shipowners had agreed to extend the seas being designated as high risk, and designated the Indian Ocean, where mariners can refuse to go if the ship is not operating in accordance with int'ly agreed best management practices to deter piracy or not sailing thru int'ly recognized transit corridor in the Gulf of Aden.
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