Leaving unacceptable behaviour astern

THOSE of us who "benefited" from traditional residential pre-sea training in the 1960s or early 1970s or, of more relevance to many readers, during National Service may approach the topic of today's column with some scepticism. The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) have published a new Guidance on Eliminating Shipboard Harassment and Bullying.

Those brought up with phrases such as "If you can't take a joke you shouldn't have joined" ringing in our ears when something unpleasant or unfair occurs will find that there has been a cultural shift in what is acceptable in society and, especially, at sea. That phrase is actually on a list of unacceptable excuses for bullying behaviour that is included in the guidelines.

One reason why such behaviour is unacceptable is the International Labour Organization's (ILO) Maritime Labour Convention (MLC). The guidelines have been launched in advance of an important ILO Special Tripartite Committee on the MLC, to be held next month in Geneva.