The International Labor Organization (ILO) is willing to assist Vietnam in implementing the Maritime Labor Convention, which took effect on August 20, 2013, said ILO Vietnam Director Gyorgy Sziraczki. Mr. Sziraczki made the pledge in Hanoi yesterday while congratulating Vietnam on becoming the 37th country to ratify the convention. The Prime Minister signed on July 25 a decision to approve a plan to implement the convention. The effectiveness of the convention, which aims to protect the rights of 1.5 million cruise workers in the world and guarantee equal competitiveness between ship owners, will help ensure sustainable jobs for sailors, he said. According to the Vietnam Maritime Department, the country, which boasts a coastline of more than 3,200km, is home to 37 sea ports, including 170 harbors. Vietnam’s fleet of 1,700 ships can meet one tenth of the country’s export volume and nearly half of the goods transported within the country while 50% of the fleet often travel international routes. About 20,000 crew members on Vietnamese cruises, of which 6,271 belong to the Vietnam Ship Owners’ Association, are working on both domestic and international ships. However, they often face risks of attacks by strange ships on sea. (Ha Noi Moi –New Hanoi Aug 21 p8, Saigon Giai Phong – Saigon Liberation Aug 21 p1, Nhan Dan – The People Aug 21 p8)
