Source: Mission to Seafarers
The newest Seafarers Happiness Index report exhibits what its writer, the Mission to Seafarers, characterizes as “a notable decline in overall happiness.” Of main concern, a scarcity of accessible ingesting water emerges as one vital drawback space.
This newest report covers the second quarter of 2023 and relies on a survey, carried out in affiliation with NorthStandard and Idwal, with supported from Inmarsat. It measures the wellbeing of seafarers worldwide by ten key questions on their work and life. The newest report exhibits an general fall in seafarer happiness from 7.1/10 to six.77/10, in comparison with first quarter 2023.
In the interval coated, April to June, happiness ranges declined throughout all query areas, with essentially the most vital drops seen typically crew happiness, shore go away, and workload, exhibiting an approximate 8% lower. Average seafarer happiness ranges have now declined from a excessive of seven.69/10 in This autumn 2022 to 7.1/10 in Q1 2023, and now 6.77/10 in Q2. In one other marked distinction to earlier years, happiness ranges haven’t risen over the course of the calendar 12 months.
In this reporting interval, seafarers expressed their struggles at not but seeing working and residing situations absolutely return to pre-pandemic requirements, significantly in areas equivalent to crew adjustments, time spent on board, wages, and shore go away. Other key points raised by respondents included unmanageable workloads, restricted web entry, and insufficient gymnasium services.
The COVID-19 pandemic uncovered vital challenges for seafarers, together with crew change delays, prolonged time on board, and declining wages, resulting in worsened working situations. Despite rising from the pandemic, returning to pre-COVID situations for seafarers has been troublesome.
A serious concern was the scarcity of accessible ingesting water. The Mission to Seafarers says that this requires rapid consideration, because it was a typical drawback from these responding to the survey, regardless of being explicitly coated by the Maritime Labor Convention (MLC).
Rising world meals costs have additionally impacted seafarers, with low firm meal budgets and expense cuts resulting in inadequate meals provides, generally for durations of as much as 2-3 weeks.
Seafarers face restricted alternatives for shore go away resulting from ongoing restrictions and firm insurance policies, negatively affecting psychological well being, job satisfaction, and welfare, resulting in boredom, frustration, and low morale. Shockingly, some respondents have by no means skilled shore go away of their careers. Calls for standardized protocols and extra shore go away alternatives persist. This problem must be addressed to offer seafarers with alternatives for rejuvenation and leisure actions ashore.
The lack of work-life steadiness and violations of labor and relaxation hours are additionally frequent considerations, violating the MLC’s provisions. In addition, seafarers are involved about their wages, with some reportedly being paid solely as soon as throughout their time on board, with subsequent durations thought of “gaining experience” with out fee, akin to trendy slavery. Stagnation of wages in some firms over 15 years led to a major discrepancy between compensation and workload. This underscores the necessity for truthful and well timed changes to wages, reflecting the true worth of seafarers’ contributions to the business.
In conclusion, says the Mission to Seafarers, the second quarter 2023 Seafarers Happiness Index report exhibits that seafarers are going through vital challenges, resulting in additional decline of their satisfaction with work and life at sea. Improving their wellbeing requires addressing these points.
“It is extremely disappointing to read of contracts being altered or disregarded, leading to payment issues, salary cuts, rising taxes, and increased living costs, as well as such fundamental requirements such as good quality meals, access to shore leave and manageable workloads,” stated the Rev. Canon Andrew Wright, secretary common of the Mission to Seafarers. “All seafarers are fully entitled to expect fair compensation for their hard work, dedication and commitment to keeping international shipping moving. It is incumbent upon all of us to address these issues and make the improvements required to enhance seafarers’ working conditions, wellbeing and job satisfaction.”
