Pakistan recently ratified the Hong Kong International Convention for Safe Ship Recycling, becoming the 23rd country to do so. This ratification means that all major ship recycling countries worldwide have now signed on. The Convention aims to ensure both environmental safety and workers' rights in shipbreaking, known as one of the riskiest jobs globally.
For the Convention to take effect, it required ratification by at least 15 States representing a significant portion of global shipping and ship recycling. The HKC demands upgraded facilities and proper waste disposal at shipbreaking yards. With ship recycling expected to increase, adhering to these standards becomes even more crucial.
The National Trade Union Federation (NTUF) in Pakistan has actively pushed for this ratification, working with provincial and federal governments. Despite low shipbreaking volumes in 2023, the union succeeded in registering workers for social security, emphasizing the importance of worker rights in this industry.
Source: IndustriALL