The ITF-supported event, Union Week - New Generation, is the fourth awareness-raising seminar hosted by MTWTU in four years in Odessa, Ukraine, which attracted over 150 Ukrainian acting and future seafarers.
The topics on the agenda ranged from education on the global trade union movement, the ITF and the role of the ITF Inspectorate, seafarers’ wellbeing, as well as education on Seafarers’ Employment Contracts and Collective Bargaining Agreements, the Maritime Labour Convention, and an update on the industry locally. Participating seafarers also took part in virtual reality trainings on safety and ship operations, allowing them to enhance their professional skills.
ITF Coordinator from Croatia Romano Peric and ITF Inspector from Spain Gonzalo Galan participated in the seminar representing the ITF Inspectorate.
"We are thankful to the ITF for their support for our fast-growing union. It allows us develop, expand and of course educate our seafarers on their labour rights. These activities help inform our seafarers and ensure that they're updated and protected knowing their rights," said MTWTU First Vice Chairman Oleg Grygoriuk who moderated Union Week.
"Most importantly, these seminars allow our seafarers to become more proactive when it comes to their labour rights on board. The Union Week seminars have always been a success, enjoying great interest and involvement of Ukrainian seafarers, as well as positively contributing to the image of the MTWTU in Ukraine and of the ITF unions globally,” added Grygoriuk.
During the seminar seafarers were also able to undergo free medical tests to test for HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis and blood sugar levels.
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