Brussels, 19/12/2013 (Agence Europe) - European Commissioner for Transport Siim Kallas is putting pressure on member states - particularly the continental ones - to respect to their obligations as regards seafarers. Infringement procedures could be taken.
While he commended the coastal member states that seem to be respecting their obligations, Kallas nevertheless wanted to ensure that every member state, as a flag state, puts in place the common standards for living and working conditions on board - as set out in the international maritime labour convention of 2006. “Especially as these have been agreed between the social partners at European level and recently enforced through EU law” he said, on Wednesday 18 December. Staff at DG Transport say that Portugal and Ireland have not yet complied, and neither have any of the continental countries of the EU - with the exception of Luxembourg. It is for this reason that the European Commission is threatening to begin infringement procedures. (MD/transl.fl)