Corruption and bad practice harming seafarers
They must be protected from the completely unacceptable and unethical pressures often put on them
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SOMETIMES it is useful for reports to say what everybody really knows is happening, but is swept under the carpet. A new study published by UK-based Seafarers International Research Centre (SIRC) does just that. It has highlighted the problem of shore-side officials demanding bribes to carry out their duties as well a catalogue of other practices that can harm seafarers.
It reports: "In the course of the research the vulnerability of both vessels and seafarers whilst in port became starkly apparent."
It says that seafarers are routinely placed in stressful positions by demands for bribes. Yes, we know that. The whole industry knows that. And the issue is just as routinely put in the "far too difficult" file and left there.
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