4 th International Symposium of Maritime Safety Security & Environmental Protection

1. 4th International Symposium of Maritime Safety Security & Environmental Protection “Promoting & developing seafarers’ welfare under mlc: A research agenda” Dr. M. Progoulakim.progoulaki.aegean.gr Drs. A. katradi, akatradi@chios.aegean.gr Dr. i. theotokasgtheotokas@aegean.gr

2. Presentation Outline • Research Aim • Introduction • Welfare in the shipping industry • Research Methodology • Results concerning Greece • Port-based welfare • Onboard welfare • Conclusions and a Research Agenda

3. Aim: Provide insight on whether interventions onboard & ashore could develop & promote seafarers’ well-being Focus on the case of Greek-owned shipping Identify & analyze the existing knowledge on provision of crew welfare facilities & services, as well as the role of stakeholders involved in the provision of such facilities Examine the current conditions and whether the MLC standards are met Discuss possible gaps & propose actions for policy makers Provide a fundamental base to understand & analyze the meaning of crew welfare Offer a base of dialogue on the different areas that it affects

4. Why welfare…

5. Introduction • Welfare: embodies various high quality services, policies, benefits & facilities aiming to provide better life & health in the workplace(Keyes et al., 2000). • Employees’ well-being might affect their behaviour & thereby, organisational productivity (Rasulzada, 2007; Tehrani et al. 2007) • Seafaring has a special pattern of work, as working & living conditions are combined (Carter, 2005) • Crew’s long separation from family & friends, long stay on board, isolation make welfare facilities necessary (Progoulakiet al., 2006; Sampson, 2008)

6. Crew Welfare

7. MLC and Welfare Welfare: recreational facilities, communication services, access to medical care, decent accommodation among others (Titles 3 and 4 in ILO, 2006). Reg. 4.4: “Ensure that seafarers have access to” shore-based facilities & services to secure their health & well-being A4.4: where facilities exist, shall be “available to all seafarers irrespective of nationality, race, colour, sex, religion, political opinion, social origin, flag of the vessel they work on.” Facilities should be provided in the Member States by: Public authorities, and/or Shipowners’ & seafarers’ organisations, and/or Voluntary organisations. Member states shall cooperate in the promotion of welfare of seafarers at sea & in ports The onboard welfare facilities and services will be subject of inspection and certification while these of shore-based will not be

8. Research Methodology Literature review (secondary data) Qualitative Research using Semi-structured personal interviews in 10 Greek-owned shipping companies (more than 430 vessels in total: representing 10% of the Greek-owned fleet), aiming to: Examine the perception of shipping companies’ representatives Examine the general perception of the meaning of crew welfare Examine knowledge of existing port-based crew welfare practiced by Greek-owned shipping companies Investigate the crew welfare facilities & services offered onboard Examine the assessment of seafarers’ job satisfaction & welfare from offered onboard welfare facilities Investigate the effect of MLC implementation to crew welfare policies & offered services & facilities

9. Results: Greece #1 port-based welfare Only 1 seafarers’ centre in Piraeus (“DeutschSeemannsmission”) offering: Available to all seafarers regardless nationality German branch of the Seaman’s Mission in Piraeus free transport from/to port, accommodation, telephone, wireless internet & open 24/7. National Seafarers’ Hearth Centre in Piraeus is only available to national seafarers promoting their financial, mental & social condition No other evidence of welfare centers in Greek ports.

10. Results: Greece #2 Theoretical confusion about meaning of welfare No definition by MLC; thus related to seafarers’ rights, CSR, job satisfaction, etc. Offered onboard facilities include: Comfortable accommodation Recreational facilities Gym equipment, TV, karaoke, library/books, DVDs Internet access Advanced medical care Information about facilities provided by manning agents Seafarers’ satisfaction from port-based facilities not formally evaluated Main European & American ports considered quite satisfying by seafarers Attracting qualified seafarers & increasing retention rate by providing welfare services onboard & financial incentives

11. Conclusions #1 Offer a high level of onboard welfare facilities and services equally to all types of vessels and all nationalities The provisions, offered onboard vessel, were positively associated to physical and psychological well-being of seafarers Not only MLC standards are met, but also shipping companies offer quality and quantity of welfare facilities and services onboard vessel. Greek shipping companies seem to be sensitive delivering various additional welfare provisions in order to assure seafarers’ quality of work and living. Have the ability to promote a working atmosphere where employment relationship is shaped Although in main ports internationally welfare facilities are offered (i.e. Communication and transportation services), shipping companies themselves are responsible of their seafarers’ ashore welfare as well.

12. Conclusions #2 Results from the survey cannot be generalised, however a first and thorough insight in some key points of the issue is offered, with a special focus on the Greek shipping case. Examination of the existing knowledge is provided on crew welfare in the voluntary period before the implementation of MLC. Need for further research in 3 levels: the management level the policy level the theoretical level

13. Research Agenda #1

14. Research Agenda #2

15. Research Agenda #3

16. Thank you for your attentionAny Questions? Dr. M. Progoulakim.progoulaki.aegean.gr Drs. A. katradi, akatradi@chios.aegean.gr Dr. i. theotokasgtheotokas@aegean.gr