Written by
Nick Blenkey
Picture: SIU Canada
The Seafarers’ Worldwide Union of Canada (SIU Canada) has printed a report on office harassment and bullying inside the Canadian marine sector. It signifies that 46% of seafarers have skilled harassment or bullying sooner or later of their seagoing profession. The report is a abstract of knowledge gathered from a survey that was carried out by the union in the summertime of 2023 and despatched to all members of SIU Canada, who signify nearly all of unlicensed seafarers throughout Canada.
The report factors to some areas of concern in an {industry} at present experiencing a scarcity of employees to fill accessible positions on board Canadian-flagged vessels in Canadian waterways. SIU Canada says that it hopes that releasing the outcomes of the survey will assist begin an industry-wide dialog on tackle problems with harassment at sea to make seafaring a extra sought-after profession for potential job seekers. There are encouraging indicators within the knowledge gathered that harassment is much less of a problem now that it has been prior to now, nonetheless, it’s clear extra will be performed to place an finish to office harassment on Canadian vessels.
“Harassment within the office shouldn’t be one thing we take evenly and clearly it is a matter that the {industry} as an entire must do a greater job at addressing,” stated Michael Given, President of the SIU Canada. “A profession as a seafarer is usually a improbable strategy to earn a dwelling and it’s an extremely rewarding profession, nonetheless, the office must be a protected and wholesome setting for everybody on board if we need to tackle problems with recruitment and retention inside the {industry}.”
A number of the key findings from the survey are:
- 46% of seafarers have skilled harassment sooner or later of their profession.
- 69% of feminine seafarers have skilled harassment sooner or later of their profession.
- 9% of seafarers have skilled sexual harassment sooner or later of their profession.
- 35% of feminine seafarers have skilled sexual harassment sooner or later of their profession.
- 67% of those that have been harassed at work have been harassed by a superior.
- 48% of those that have been harassed didn’t report inappropriate behaviour to their employer.
- 60% of seafarers answered “no” or “unsure” when requested in the event that they felt their employer is doing sufficient to guard them from harassment at work.
SIU Canada, an affiliate of the Seafarers Worldwide Union of North America, says it plans on working with the businesses, shipowners, and all ranges of presidency to deal with the problems introduced up on this report. The Union is dedicated to discovering options to deal with these issues and can be working diligently for all Canadian seafarers to assist convey an finish to harassment and bullying at sea. All {industry} stakeholders should do higher to make sure that employees within the Canadian marine sector can earn a dwelling in a protected and harassment-free work setting.
Main Canadian shipowner Algoma Central Company launched this remark in response to the SIU Canada survey:
“Thanks to the SIU for bringing extra focus to this subject and your dedication to elevating consciousness and discovering options. The SIU has been a longstanding associate in addressing harassment instances inside our group and we’re dedicated to persevering with to work collectively to make sure a protected working setting for all. It can be crucial that unions and ship operators collaborate and preserve an open dialogue. Collectively, we will take the lead addressing this subject and additional develop cohesive, zero tolerance motion plans throughout the marine sector.
“At Algoma, we’re devoted to cultivating a office tradition based on rules of respect and inclusion. Recognizing the profound affect that every one types of harassment can have on the well-being of our staff, we prioritize the security and well being of our crews and workers. This dedication has at all times been, and continues to be, our foremost precedence. Lately, now we have enhanced our Office Harassment and Violence Prevention Coverage, reporting procedures, and coaching. That stated, we acknowledge that extra must be performed.
“There isn’t any place for harassment at Algoma.”
- Obtain the SIU of Canada survey HERE
