NEW YORK: Seafarers ought to be categorized as “key employees”, United Nations member states urged on Tuesday (Dec 1), with the hope that might assist clear a means house for about 400,000 of them caught at sea as a result of COVID-19 pandemic.
A decision adopted by 193 nations “urges member states to designate seafarers and different marine personnel as key employees”.
It calls on governments to permit “stranded seafarers to be repatriated and others to hitch ships” beneath protected COVID-19 protocols.
The Worldwide Chamber of Delivery, based mostly in London and representing 80 percent of the service provider fleet, welcomed the decision.
“This can be an important step in recognizing the essential position that 2,000,000 sailors play in transporting meals, drugs, vitality provides and different important uncooked supplies throughout the globe amidst the peak of a world pandemic,” it mentioned in a press release.
The maritime trade additionally hopes the qualification will permit seafarers to be amongst precedence teams to profit from future vaccines in opposition to the virus.
In June, UN Secretary-Common Antonio Guterres warned over the state of affairs of seafarers stranded without the potential for being relieved due to travel restrictions imposed by dozens of nations fearing infections.
Sea transport represents greater than 80 percent of commerce and is essential for the transport of medicine, meals and significant provides within the battle in opposition to the pandemic, he mentioned on the time.
