Seafarers sail into a happier future

China will strive to ensure its seafarers enjoy a decent work environment and competitive incomes, a maritime official said on Wednesday.

Over the past 34 years, since China introduced reform and opening-up policies, Chinese seafarers have enjoyed significant improvements in their working conditions and salaries, according to Li Enhong, director of the seafarers management department under the China Maritime Safety Administration.

More than 650,000 Chinese work aboard ocean ships, and they are responsible for transporting nearly 93 percent of the country's export and import.

"It is unthinkable that China will thrive without a strong force of seafarers. The country's development requires a tremendous amount of raw materials which need to be imported, and that is heavily reliant on ocean shipping," Li told China Daily on the sidelines of the 8th Meeting of ASEAN-China Maritime Consultation Mechanism, held in Zhuhai, Guangdong province.

"However, compared with some other industries that have economically benefited from the country's rapid development, the overall situation of seafarers has, regrettably, lagged behind, in spite of their hard work and long separations from their families."

Realizing that the poor treatment has led to people gradually leaving the industry, the government has introduced a series of measures to protect and improve seafarers' rights, Li said.

In 2007, the State Council approved the Regulations on Seafarers, which stipulate the qualifications, legal rights, training and occupational benefits seafarers must receive. It also requires maritime inspection authorities to ensure seafarers' rights and interests will be fully guaranteed.

In 2008, the Ministry of Transport, which administers the China Maritime Safety Administration, issued 10 measures to facilitate the development of a seafarers' talent pool, as well as a directive to better regulate services provided to sailors.

In addition to the domestic measures, the international regulations as laid out by the Maritime Labor Convention 2006 will come into force on Aug 20, 2013.

The convention, which was adopted in 2006 by the International Labor Organization, is considered one of the major pillars of international maritime law, and will bring profound changes to China's shipping industry, maritime officials said.

"Most of our shipping enterprises have now exceeded the standards set by the convention in terms of treatment of workers, holidays and working conditions," Li said. "And after the implementation of the convention, employers will definitely be more aware of the protection of seafarers' rights and interests."

The convention requires shipping companies to apply for a labor employment certificate from the government to prove themselves qualified to hire seafarers and ensure their seafarers are well trained. This will impose a demanding task for Chinese shipping operations, Li said.