No sustainable progress can be achieved in any industry, whether maritime or otherwise, while countries and companies remain engaged in a race to the bottom regarding tax and labour policies, which circumvent collectively agreed working conditions, including wages.

Seafarers are often labelled as a “special case” and excluded from legislation protecting workers’ rights in land-based sectors, undermining their rights and protection. This must stop – seafarers are not second-class workers and should be covered by the EU legislation minimum standards applicable to all workers.

ETF Management Committee renewed the solidarity to the Belgian affiliates BTB-ABVV, ACV TRANSCOM and ACVLB and to the Belgian dock workers in their struggle for Belgian “Wet Major.”