Striking Back

Indian maritime unions and shipping organisations warned that piracy could prompt a withdrawal of labour from countries providing crews if nothing is done to tackle the problem.

“There is a strong possibility that a collective international boycott by the seafarers coming from the labour-supplying countries like the Philippines, India, Indonesia, Russia, Bangladesh, etc. is round the corner,” they said.

The statement came as more than 2,000 sailors, shipowners and ship managers participated in a march to express concern over growing incidents of piracy. ‘Shipowners and seafarers have been left to fend for themselves ..It is the responsibility of every sovereign state to provide a safe and secure environment to the seafarers who are discharging their professional duties in the high seas,’ said Abdulgani Serang, general secretary of NUSI.