Inland waterways industry participants have committed to advancing a respectable workplace, according to the International Labour Organization.
The Punch reported that this was a result of a meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, between representatives of governments, labour unions, and employers, according to a statement from the ILO.
It was mentioned that the delegates reached a consensus regarding the application of international labour conventions and basic workplace rights to all workers involved in inland water transportation.
In light of the unique characteristics of the industry, national and international laws and regulations “need to be adopted, reviewed, implemented, and enforced,” according to the release.
The tripartite constituents of the inland waterways sector met for the first time in thirty years, also called for the strengthening of labour inspection systems onboard inland waterways vessels, the collection and reporting of sectoral employment data, and for support for a just transition in the sector.
It said, “The recommendations and conclusions give ILO and its Member States clear guidance on future actions in the inland waterways sector.”
The meeting also asked the ILO to work with river commissions and regional economic commissions to promote policy coherence.
Additionally, it said that the ILO would host tripartite forums to promote decent work in the inland waterways sector at the regional level and to foster cooperation among riparian states.
The Deputy Director and Officer-in-Charge of the ILO Sectoral Policies Department, stated, “The outcome of our sectoral meeting coincides with the celebration of the first World Sustainable Transport Day and lives up to the expectations and ambitions attached to it.”
“The consensus-adopted conclusions and recommendations effectively harness the potential of the inland waterways sector to generate decent work for the attainment of sustainable development and social justice, and the office is committed to operationalizing them in support of our tripartite constituents’ efforts at the global, regional and country levels,” the statement added.”
